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Late Gen. Dogonyaro: Life, times of a coup plotter [1985 coup speech]
Lieutenant General Joshua Dogonyaro, a former Chief of Defence Staff during the late General Sani Abacha’s regime, died at Unijos Teaching hospital on Thursday.
Born on September 12, 1940, in Vom, Plateau State, Dogonyaro was the officer that read the coup speech that ousted the then General Muhammadu Buhari as military ruler.
The coup brought in the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida junta on August 27, 1985.
Dogonyaro died at the Jos University Teaching Hospital where he was admitted after a brief illness. His remains have been deposited at the Air Force Hospital in Jos.
Dogonyaro was a member of the Langtang Mafia in Nigeria’s military circle. The clique comprises military men from Langtang, Plateau, who served or are still in the military.
Members include Lt. Gen. Joshua Nimyel Dogonyaro (rtd), Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd), Lt. Gen. Domkat Bali (rtd) and Brig. Gen. John Nanzip Shagaya (rtd), Lt. Gen. Muhammad A. Najib (rtd), among others.
Profile: He attended Boys’ Secondary School, Gindiri, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, 1964-67, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, and National Institute for Policy and Suategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.
Dogonyaro was Officer Commanding, 1 Recce Squadron, 1967-69; Quartermaster General, 1 Infantry Division, 1969-70; Chief Instructor and Adjutant, Rece Training School, 1970-72; Commanding Officer, I Recce Regiment, 1972-76.
The former Principal Staff Officer, Headquarters, Nigerian Army Armoured Corp, 1976-77, also commanded the 24 Armoured Brigade, 1977-79; and was Task Force Commanding Officer, 203 Armoured Battalion on the Peace-keeping Force in Chad.
Dogonyaro was Director of Manning (Army), Army Headquarters, ‘A’ Branch, 1984-85, and Director of Armoury, 1985; General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division, Jos, 1985-87.
He was on the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC), 1985; General Officer Commanding 2nd Mechanised Division, Ibadan, 1987; promoted Major-General, 1988; Promoted Lt. General; former ECOMOG Commander; retired in 1993; Passed Staff College (PSC); National Institute (mni); Forces Service Star (FSS).
Coup speech: “Fellow country men, the intervention of the military at the end of 1983 was welcomed by the nation with unprecedented enthusiasm. Nigerians were unified in accepting the intervention and looked forward hopefully to progressive changes for the better. Almost two years later, it has become clear that the fulfillment of expectations is not forthcoming.
“Because this generation of Nigerians and indeed future generations have no other country but Nigeria, we could not stay passive and watch a small group of individuals misuse power to the detriment of our national aspirations and interest.
“No nation can ever achieve meaningful strides in its development where there is an absence of cohesion in the hierarchy of government; where it has become clear that positive action by the policy makers is hindered because as a body it lacks a unity of purpose.
“It is evident that the nation would be endangered with the risk of continuous misdirection. We are presently confronted with that danger. In such a situation, if action can be taken to arrest further damage, it should and must be taken. This is precisely what we have done.
“The Nigerian public has been made to believe that the slow pace of action of the Federal Government headed by Major-General Muhammadu Buhari was due to the enormity of the problems left by the last civilian administration.
“Although it is true that a lot of problems were left behind by the last civilian government, the real reason, however, for the very slow pace of action is due to lack of unanimity of purpose among the ruling body; subsequently, the business of governance has gradually been subjected to ill-motivated power play considerations.
“The ruling body, the Supreme Military Council, has, therefore, progressively been made redundant by the actions of a select few members charged with the day-to-day implementation of the SMC’s policies and decision.
“The concept of collective leadership has been substituted by stubborn and ill-advised unilateral actions, thereby destroying the principles upon which the government came to power. Any effort made to advise the leadership, met with stubborn resistance and was viewed as a challenge to authority or disloyalty.
“Thus, the scene was being set for systematic elimination of what, was termed oppositions. All the energies of the rulership were directed at this imaginary opposition rather than to effective leadership.
“The result of this misdirected effort is now very evident in the country as a whole. The government has started to drift. The economy does not seem to be getting any better as we witness daily increased inflation.
“The nation’s meager resources are once again being wasted on unproductive ventures. Government has distanced itself from the people and the yearnings and aspirations of the people as constantly reflected in the media have been ignored.
“This is because a few people have arrogated to themselves the right to make the decisions for the larger part of the ruling body. All these events have shown that the present composition of our country’s leadership cannot, therefore, justify its continued occupation of that position.
“Furthermore, the initial objectives and programmes of action which were meant to have been implemented since the ascension to power of the Buhari Administration in January 1984 have been betrayed and discarded. The present state of uncertainty and stagnation cannot be permitted to degenerate into suppression and retrogression.
“We feel duty bound to use the resources and means at our disposal to restore hope in the minds of Nigerians and renew aspirations for a better future. We are no prophets of doom for our beloved country, Nigeria. We, therefore, count on everyone’s cooperation and assistance.
“I appeal to you, fellow countrymen, particularly my colleagues in arms to refrain from any act that will lead to unnecessary violence and bloodshed among us. Rest assured that our action is in the interest of the nation and the armed forces.
“In order to enable a new order to be introduced, the following bodies are dissolved forthwith pending further announcements: (a) The Supreme Military Council (b) The Federal Executive Council (c) The National Council of States. All seaports and airports are closed, all borders remain closed.
“Finally, a dusk to dawn curfew is hereby imposed in Lagos and all state capitals until further notice. All military commanders will ensure effective maintenance of law and order. Further announcements will be made in due course. God bless Nigeria.”
I have been watching with keen interest the evolving political drama, drama, yes, I call it drama, in Kogi State and where the season film is going and when it will end. Many a time, the gladiators in the state throw brick bats at one another and in the process, the pebbles hit innocent standby constituents.
Of particular worrisome trend is the recent outburst by the Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan accusing, Honourable Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, the honourable Minister of Steel Development of low performance, the accusation that is uncalled for and to say the least, unwarranted.
Not only that, the Senator also accused the Minister of veering into the areas that are not directly under his supervision. She mischievously advised the Honourable Minister to limit and concentrate himself more on wooing foreign and local investors in the area of steel development and utilization, citing Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mills as an example.
The Senator also deliberately forgot that there should and must be synergy between the ministry and all the agencies under it. if she still does not know this, she should go for orientation or briefs on her legislative matters vis a vis her oversight functions.
If the Senator does not know, let her be told that the Hon. Minister is a polished politician and a seasoned technocrat who has brought into the fore his vast background in life in the way and manner he has been discharging his duties as a minister holding one of the most sensitive ministries in the country.
Before the Senator graduates and bags her Pull Him Down Syndrome (PHD) from the University of Malice and Hate, she should know that the lane she is travelling in her political journey is not profitable nor rewarding at all. Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu is a forward looking Nigerian who would not want to be distracted from his professed determination to leave his job better than, he met it.
We have heard enough political mayhem in Kogi in recent past, let no one foist another crisis on the state through reckless, unrefined, and putrid comments. It will be recalled that mid last year, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did a minor reshuffle in his cabinet, the President found the Honourable Minister fit and proper just as he was given a clean bill to continue with his good job in the ministry.
As the year 2027 inches by, Senator Natasha should for goodness sake stay on her lane and stop meandering into other lanes in order to keep Kogi clean of clashes. Not only this, she should train her tongue to avoid unnecessary vituperation. It should be noted as well that nobody has monopoly of verbal attack against other people, let the Senator check herself so that she will not be getting stones back as she throws pebbles.
A word is enough for the wise.
Concerned people and leaders of thought in Kogi State should call the Senator to order. It is high time she knew that Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu is a tree planted by the Almighty Allah that cannot be uprooted by any mortal. political differences or affiliations must not blindfold individuals from reality on ground.
Fading politicians who don’t have reputation must not besmear those who have pretty pedigree and want to keep it.
Musa Wada, a public affairs analyst sent this piece from Abuja
Uncategorized
Open letter to the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo Usman over achievements in one year
I am writing this open letter to you to commend you for your excellent performances so far in your short stay in office as the governor of our dear state. Indeed your performance so far has vindicated those of us who even before your assumption of office stayed true to our believe that you are our best foot forward to make our state greater.
You have not disappointed us so far because even your greatest critics and political opponents would not disagree with the majority views in the state that indeed Kogi state is working. Your leadership has brought within a short time to the state developments in all its physicality. I can say with pride that your administration is now regarded as the end to an era of bad governance to the beginning of an era where the people count first and this is justified by your policies and programmes implemented to bring succour to our people. The prompt payments of salaries and pensions to civil servants and retirees of the state government and your social welfare targeted at making the aged live comfortably in their old age and your programmes for youth development are a testament that your administration is for the people,by the people and of the people of Kogi state.
I commend you for making sure that peace justice and development is not an exclusive development for any particular zone of the state but for all. I want you to continue in your great effort of uniting our state with your all inclusive deliverance of democratic dividends to all the parts of the state this is because in history no state has achieved sustainable development without a leader with vision,strategic plan and compassion for all its people.
We have seen so far that your administration is the very testament to the type of leadership we have all yearned for in the state. I commend you also for not going after any political opponent because you know that your performance will indeed silence them all and I believe you shall overcome because a pessimist is a well informed optimist.
Thank you for giving us the hope that our state is going to be great again under your administration. We are confident that going forward more developments will come to our state by your inspiring leadership.
Long live the governor of Kogi state.
Long live Kogi state,
Long live the Federal republic of Nigeria.
Hon John Lawal
Coordinator Tinubu support team
Uncategorized
OPEN LETTER TO THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF SPECIAL DUTIES AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMENDING HIM FOR HIS PERFORMANCE AND STERLING LEADERSHIP QUALITIES IN OFFICE IN THE LAST ONE YEAR
We are writing this open letter to you patriotically commending you for your excellent performances and your sterling leadership qualities which has transformed and reformed your Ministry by changing its narratives for the best in the last one year of your tenure as the Minister of special duties and intergovernmental Affairs.
We have in our determination to peer review the performances of the appointees of our renewed hope President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu especially the Minister’s found your leadership of the Ministry so inspiring because it translated into making the Ministry one of the best ran Ministries, departments and agencies of government in this dispensation for which we are very proud. We also commend you for not blowing your trumpet but instead allowing your work to speak for you in all its ramifications. The agencies and departments under your Ministry are now known to be working assiduously in fulfilling it’s mandates by the launching of the strategic plans document which is already by your body language and leadership being implemented religiously.
You are indeed the pride of your people, the Gbagi’s nation in the political scene because you have shown that your leadership and political leitmotives is to work hard at all time to bring about positive changes in your areas of authority and this is exemplified by the performance of the National lottery trust fund which is now visible in the lives of the citizens by it’s excellent interventions in critical areas of needs in all part of the country, the Nigerian lottery regulatory commission which is working very hard in the issuances of licenses to deserving agents thereby increasing the revenue to the federal government from the proceeds of gaming and the National lottery trust fund that is today a strong institutions regulating the lottery sector of the country.
We commend you for your leadership which deals in hope.
Finally, going forward we are assured of more excellent performances from you especially as in this part of the world it is known that “the day that would be good is known from it’s mornings”. Your performance so far has justified the reason why our President who is known to be a great recruiter of leaders recruited you for this assignment. We thank you for being your people’s pride. Accept our congratulations.
Yours sincerely
Hon John Lawal
Coordinator Tinubu support team
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