Ibadan Indigenous Media

28/11/2025

24/11/2025

THE EX*****ON OF THE 1976 COUP PLOTTERS IN NIGERIA

On Friday, February 13, 1976, Nigeria was shaken by a tragic and violent coup d’état led by Lieutenant Colonel Bukar S**a Dimka. The most devastating outcome of this failed coup was the assassination of the nation’s then Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed. He was gunned down in Ikoyi, Lagos, as he traveled unescorted to his office at the Dodan Barracks. His death sent shockwaves across the country and marked a dark chapter in Nigeria’s post-independence political history.

General Murtala Muhammed had only been in office for approximately 200 days, yet he was deeply admired for his bold reforms, anti-corruption stance, and efforts to return Nigeria to civilian rule. His untimely death sparked outrage, mourning, and swift retribution by the military establishment.

The coup, though partially successful in its initial hours, quickly collapsed. Loyalist forces, particularly those under the command of then Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Lieutenant General Olusegun Obasanjo, and General Theophilus Danjuma, regained control of strategic institutions. Dimka had temporarily seized the state radio to broadcast his justification for the coup, accusing the Muhammed regime of corruption and maladministration. However, his broadcast was cut short, and he fled Lagos.

Olusegun Obasanjo, after initial hesitation, accepted the call to leadership and succeeded Muhammed as Head of State. His new regime was determined to punish the conspirators severely and deter future insurrections. What followed was one of the most publicized military trials and mass ex*****ons in Nigerian history.

The Court-Martial and Executions

Over 100 military personnel and civilians were arrested in connection to the failed coup. Following military investigations and tribunals, dozens were convicted of plotting, aiding, or executing the coup attempt. The convicted officers were sentenced to death by firing squad, and the ex*****ons were carried out in two major rounds.

The first set of ex*****ons took place on March 11, 1976, at Bar Beach, Lagos, a location known at the time for public ex*****ons. Under the supervision of General Obasanjo’s military government, 31 individuals were executed, including senior officers, junior ranks, and one civilian. These included:

1. Major General I. D. Bisalla (former Commissioner for Defence)

2. Warrant Officer II Monday Monchon

3. Staff Sergeant Richard Dungdang

4. Sergeant Sale Pankshin

5. Lieutenant Colonel A. R. Aliyu

6. Captain M. Parvwong

7. Captain J. F. Idi

8. Captain S. Wakins

9. Lieutenant Mohammed

10. Lieutenant E. L. K. Shelleng

11. Lieutenant Colonel Ayuba Tense

12. Colonel A. D. S. Way

13. Lieutenant Colonel T. K. Adamu

14. Lieutenant Colonel A. B. Umaru

15. Captain A. A. Aliyu

16. Captain Augustine Dawurang

17. Major M. M. Mshelia

18. Lieutenant William Seri

19. Major I. B. Ribo

20. Major K. K. Gagra

21. Captain M. R. Gelip

22. Mr. Abdulkarim Zakari (a civilian who assisted in the radio broadcast)

23. Lieutenant Peter Ggani

24. Major Ola Ogunmekan

25. Lieutenant O. Zagmi

26. Lieutenant S. Wayah

27. Sergeant Ahmadu Rege

28. Sergeant Bala Javan

29. Warrant Officer II Sambo Dankshin

30. Warrant Officer II Emmanuel Dakup Seri

31. Major J. W. Kasai

A second round of ex*****ons took place between May 15 and 17, 1976, following the capture and trial of the coup leader and his key accomplices. This final round included:

32. Lieutenant Colonel Bukar S**a Dimka (leader of the coup)

33. Joseph D. Gomwalk (former Military Governor of Benue-Plateau State)

34. Lieutenant S. Kwale

35. Warrant Officer H. E. Bawa

36. Colonel I. Buka

37. Major J. K. Afolabi

38. H. Shaiyen

Dimka was captured after a nationwide manhunt and interrogation. During his trial, he remained defiant and refused to express remorse. His ex*****on, along with the others, was carried out in secrecy, though public knowledge of it spread quickly.

These ex*****ons were meant to send a clear signal that treason and political instability would not be tolerated. While controversial, especially due to the scale and speed of the trials, the actions taken by the Obasanjo-led government reinforced military discipline and temporarily stabilized Nigeria's political environment.

General Olusegun Obasanjo would go on to continue the reform agenda of the late Murtala Muhammed and, in 1979, became the first military leader in Nigeria to voluntarily hand over power to a democratically elected civilian government. This marked the beginning of Nigeria’s Second Republic.

The 1976 coup attempt remains one of Nigeria’s most defining political crises, remembered not only for the tragic loss of a visionary leader but also for the massive response it provoked from the military and the Nigerian public.

24/11/2025

The famous Duro Ladipo in 1967 performing his play 'Oba Koso'. Ladipo (1931–1978) was one of the most important figures in Nigerian theatre.

Ladipo was a major factor in the global recognition of Yoruba Literature during his days.

He was a Nigerian dramatist, actor, playwright and one of the leading pioneers of modern Yoruba theatre. His work placed Yoruba culture, myths, and language on the global stage.

Born in Osogbo, Osun State and raised in a Christian home but deeply immersed in Yoruba traditions, which later shaped his theatre, he initially worked as a teacher before moving into performing arts.

➡️Career & Contributions

* Founded the Mbari Mbayo Theatre in Osogbo in the early 1960s.

* Became one of the central figures of the Yoruba Travelling Theatre movement, alongside Hubert Ogunde and Kola Ogunmola.

* Wrote and staged several influential plays, but he is best known for:

1. Oba Koso (The King Did Not Hang), his most famous play which was based on the legend of Sango, the Yoruba thunder deity. He performed internationally and became a symbol of African theatrical excellence.

2. Oba Moro, another Sango-related drama exploring Yoruba cosmology and deities.

3. Moremi which was based on the heroic Yoruba queen from Ile-Ife.

These plays blended traditional Yoruba music, dance and drumming, mythology and storytelling.

✅ Duro Ladipo’s troupe toured extensively: Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and North Africa.

✅ His performances were showcased at major international festivals, earning him global acclaim.

✅ He helped introduce Yoruba-speaking theatre to audiences worldwide.

✅ He elevated Yoruba gods (Sango, Ogun, Orunmila) into dramatic heroes on stage.

✅ He helped inspire later generations of Nigerian theatre makers.

Duro Ladipo passed away on 17 March, 1978 at the age of 46.

Credit: Ethnic African Stories

23/11/2025

THE UNTOLD STORY: HOW ATIKU SOLD NEPA AND WHY IT CAUSED A MAJOR FIGHT WITH OBASANJO

Many Nigerians have heard that former President Obasanjo and his Vice President Atiku Abubakar fell out because of NEPA’s privatization — but very few people know what actually happened behind the scenes.

Here is the simplified version people have been asking for:

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM: “WHO CONTROLLED PRIVATIZATION?”

During Obasanjo’s government, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) — the agency responsible for privatizing government companies — was under the direct supervision of the Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

That gave Atiku enormous influence over:

(1)which companies were sold,
(2)how they were sold,
(3)who they were sold to,
(4)and the entire privatization timetable.

Obasanjo supported privatization, but he believed some sectors needed extra caution — especially the power sector (NEPA).

WHERE THE TENSION STARTED

According to insiders, the misunderstanding grew when:

Atiku, using his authority over BPE, pushed forward the privatization of NEPA faster and differently from what Obasanjo expected.

Obasanjo later said publicly that many assets — including power sector components — were sold without his approval and did not follow the standard procedure he wanted.

Atiku, on the other hand, insisted he followed the law because the BPE was under his office, and he had every right to carry out the privatization programme.

This clash created a serious rift in the presidency.

WHY IT BECAME A NATIONAL ISSUE

NEPA was extremely sensitive.
Privatizing it without full presidential alignment meant:

(1)Obasanjo felt undermined.
(2)He believed decisions were taken behind his back.
(3)He accused Atiku of “selling national assets recklessly.”

Atiku insisted Obasanjo was only angry because he couldn’t control the process.

The disagreement became so deep that it spilled into the open and eventually contributed to the major political breakup between the two men.

"THE RESULT"

That conflict affected:

(1(their personal relationship,
(2)PDP’s internal structure,
(3)and even the direction of the power sector reforms that followed.

Till today, their versions of the story remain different — but one fact is clear:

The NEPA privatization war was the beginning of the end of Obasanjo and Atiku’s alliance.

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22/11/2025

President Tinubu, I pray for you at this time for courage, wisdom and the needed knowledge to handle this insecurity challenges facing the Nation. It's only God that gives power and him alone gave you the power to govern Nigeria now therefore no amount of gang ups and sabotage can stop the power and God's hands upon your life.

Always remember that we're praying for you day and night because this is our country and it's bigger than all the insecurity merchants. May God bless President Tinubu and bless Nigeria.

20/11/2025

20/11/2025

20/11/2025

Akinpelu Obisesan: Pioneer of the Cooperative Movement and Nigerian Diarist

Celebrating the life and legacy of Ibadan’s distinguished businessman and politician

Akinpelu Obisesan (1888–1963) was a prominent Nigerian businessman, diarist, and politician whose life and work significantly shaped the cooperative movement and the elite intellectual culture in Ibadan during the first half of the 20th century.

Family and Early Life

Born in 1888 into the Aperin family of Ibadan, Akinpelu was the son of Obisesan Aperin, a warrior-hunter and the Agbaakin Baale of Ibadan from 1893 to 1901. His upbringing exposed him to both traditional Yoruba leadership structures and emerging colonial influences, shaping his later political and entrepreneurial outlook.

Education

Akinpelu attended St. Peter’s Aremo, Ibadan, and later the CMS Training Institution in Oyo, reflecting the elite emphasis on Western-style education prevalent among Ibadan’s progressive families. His educational background enabled him to navigate both colonial administration and commercial enterprise with acumen.

Career and Contributions

Obisesan began his career with the Lagos Railway, rising to stationmaster at Ikirun before resigning in 1913. He subsequently worked with European trading firms and local merchants, including Adebisi Giwa and Salami Agbaje, gaining critical experience in cocoa trade and commerce.

In 1930, leveraging this experience, he ventured into cocoa farming on his family land, laying the groundwork for the cocoa cooperative movement in Ibadan. By 1934, his leadership united various trade cooperatives to form the Ibadan Cooperative Cocoa Marketing Union (ICCMU), which by 1936 included 36 cocoa marketing societies. Under his guidance, Ibadan emerged as a leading center for cooperative trade in Nigeria by 1938.

Obisesan also served as councilor in the Ibadan Native Authority (1939–1942, 1949–1951) and became a member of the Western Nigerian House of Assembly in 1946, representing agricultural and cooperative interests. His work in cooperatives culminated in his appointments as the first president of the Nigerian Cooperative Federation, Cooperative Union of Western Nigeria, and Association of Nigerian Cooperative Exporters.

Elite Culture and Public Life

Akinpelu Obisesan’s diaries reveal the social and intellectual life of Ibadan’s elite, the “Olajus”, who blended indigenous traditions with Western education. They hosted garden parties, cocktail hours, and association meetings, where English-language eloquence was a key to recognition and influence.

He was active in the Ibadan Progressive Union (IPU), which debated politics, religion, and economics, and ran the IPU Study Circle, a literary arm that established a reading room and scholarship programme for young students.

Death and Legacy

Akinpelu Obisesan passed away in 1963, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer of Nigeria’s cooperative movement, a meticulous chronicler of social and political life, and a public intellectual. In recognition of his contributions, a hall in Ibadan’s central business district was named Obisesan Hall in his honour.

Through his diaries, Obisesan continues to provide invaluable insights into colonial-era Nigeria, offering scholars and historians a window into commerce, politics, and elite social culture in Ibadan.

Sources:

Olufunke Adeboye, Reading the Diary of Akinpelu Obisesan in Colonial Africa

photograph: NNP