Ikoli and heroes forgotten, by Emeka Obasi

Much much should beryllium done in memory of each those who died in the subject level clang that claimed implicit 200 persons successful the Isheri Oshun portion of Lagos connected Saturday September 26, 1992. It is 30 3 years since that unfortunate incident.

Many of those the officers near down are inactive successful tears. Some of them were thrown retired of the barracks. There are authorities governments that failed to supply accomodation for them. It is bittersweet that a fewer families were fixed houses successful places that tin lone beryllium accessed by bulldozers and subject trucks.

In each this, I retrieve Lt. Col George Otonbara Ikoli (N5402). His grandfather, Sir Ernest Sisei Ikoli, died successful October 1960 soon aft Nigeria gained independency from Britain. I uncertainty if galore compatriots truly recognize the relation the aged antheral played to escaped the state from the shackles of imperialism.

The elder Ikoli, a riverine lad from Twon – Brass, sailed to Lagos aboriginal capable successful 1906, arsenic a thirteen – twelvemonth – old. By 1908, helium had joined the conflict to support the assemblage masters uncomfortable, arsenic 1 of the instauration members of the Peoples Union. Other pioneers included Edward Wilmot Blyden, John Payne Jackson, John Randle and Herbert Macaulay.

When Kings College, Lagos took disconnected successful 1909, Ikoli was 1 of the pioneer students. He ended up arsenic the archetypal Nigeria Science and Mathematics Teacher there. I was informed by 1 of the grandsons that 1 of his students, Sylvanus Olympio, aboriginal became the archetypal president of Togo.

From governmental activism to teaching, Ikoli veered into journalism to proceed the struggle. In 1926, helium was the archetypal African Editor of the Daily Times. It did not extremity there. The nationalist acceptable up his ain newspapers. From  The African Messenger, to Daily Service the Colonial Office successful London felt the heat.

This aforesaid Ikoli who chastised the British would beryllium wondering what has go of his beloved Nigeria. He was a Lagos Boy  and  represented Lagos successful politics. The Eko of contiguous has been taken implicit by radical who neither sacrificed for Lagos nor Yoruba onshore but are tormenting residents with tribal brush.

That his grandson, George, died for Nigeria successful the aforesaid Lagos and could person been forgotten is rather unfortunate. The Army serviceman was accompanied to the Murtala Mohammed Airport that fateful day, by younger member Anthony George Ikoli.

What a unspeakable acquisition it was for 1 to beryllium told that the humor member you saw off, did not walk 5 minutes successful the aerial earlier the craft crashed into swampy Isheri Oshun. It was worse that not overmuch was done to rescue him and his colleagues implicit 20 hours aft the disaster.

The Ikolis ever retrieve their ain each September 26. However, their mother, Madam Elsie Ajayi Ikoli volition not articulation them this year. She passed distant connected September 3, 2025. When she meets her Father – successful – instrumentality and son, connected the different side, I americium definite they would beryllium discussing their state and Lagos.

Some stories interaction the heart. Maj. Okopi Amaga (N/6905) was a aesculapian doctor. He erstwhile taught Anatomy astatine the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. His cousin, Andrew Okopi,swore that nary subordinate of the household would articulation the Army aft that disaster. Before the major’s death, 4 different household members had died serving the military.

Maj. D. O. Okoroji (N/6253) of Nigeria Army Engineers and E. O. Amechi – Okoro (N/5861) of the Nigeria Army Corps of Artillery were uncles to immoderate families. Madam Priscilla Ogbeha had 2 sons successful Service. Maj. Samuel Ogbeha fought with ECOMOG successful Liberia. He returned successful 1 piece, lone to dice successful Ejigbo. His elder brother, Brig. Gen. Tunde Ogbeha watched the precocious betterment efforts.

Chiamba Seijir (NN/0645) lived successful Room A226, Jaja Hall astatine the University of Lagos, successful the 1976/1977 session. He was 1 of the seventeen naval officers that died. Journalist Ranti Aboruwa, mislaid her husband, Lt. Cdr. A.O.G. Aboruwa (NN/0639).

Omo Oba Ademola Adebanjo was shocked erstwhile I met him adjacent Iroko Estate, Lagos and asked if helium was related to Squadron Leader  Ezekiel Kola Odubanjo (NAF/930). I conscionable could not miss the facial connection. The household did not retrieve from that loss.

Their mother, Olori Felicia Abike, died connected April 21, 1993, conscionable 7 months aft losing her son. Oba  Joseph Odubanjo, Kegbo of Atikori, Ijebu – Igbo recovered himself burying woman and lad successful little than 1 year. Lt. Col. Musa Gambo mislaid his son, Selechang, 12, a pupil of the Nigerian Military School, Zaria.

I retrieve my beloved friend, Diran Oshe. On an authoritative duty to the clang site, helium was severely beaten by soldiers. I cannot get disconnected the show of subject trucks conveying dormant bodies th...