Ohanaeze wants Aso Rock named after Aguiyironsi

The youth wing of the apex Igbo socio- cultural organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged the Federal Government to immortalise the late Head of State, General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyironsi who was brutally murdered in the July 29, 1966 counter coup.

Ohanaeze Youth Council ( OYC) specifically  wants the Federal Government to name the nation's seat of power, Aso Rock after the late Head of State in recognition of his invaluable sacrifices for the unity of Nigeria.

This is as the family of the late General has slated memorial thanksgiving church service today ( Thursday) at the St. Finbas Catholic Church Umuahia, Abia State to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his murder.

Ironsi was murdered with his host, Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, the  Governor of the defunct Western Region, in Ibadan , Oyo State during a state visit by coupists suspected to be Northern elements in the military.

OYC in a press statement issued yesterday by its National President, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, regretted that 50 years after, the Federal Government is yet to immortalise Aguiyironsi who staked his life to unite Nigeria.

OYC also said that all those including some national figures behind the assassination  of the late Head of State should tender unconditional apology to Ndigbo and Aguiyironsi's family over the dastardly act.

The youth group regretted that while the masterminds of the heinous crime are still moving around and parading themselves as statesmen, while the members of Aguiyironsi family "have continued to wallow in pains and poverty." 

" Nigeria has rather rewarded those who murdered Aguiyironsi with oil blocs while the family has completely been abandoned by subsequent administrations", OYC regretted.


OYC also enjoined the Federal and various State Governments to give attention to the welfare of the family to assuage their pains.