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| From left: Representative of the Angolan President, Dr Dionisio Manuel Da Fonseca; Son of late General Murtala Muhammed, Risqua Muhammed; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume; the Chief Executive Officer, Murtala Muhammed Foundation, Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode; and Chief of Administration, Nigerian Army, Major General I. M. Abdullahi representing of the Chief of Army Staff, during the official Wreath-Laying ceremony in honour of Late General Murtala Muhammed, held in Abuja, recently. |
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume; the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. General Waidi Shaibu represented by the Chief of Administration, Nigeria Army, Major General Isah Mahadi Abdullahi and a host of the other dignitaries on Friday in Abuja paid tributes to the memory of Nigeria’s former late Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed during the official wreath-laying ceremony held in Abuja as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the assassination of late General Murtala Muhammed.
The solemn remembrance, which held on the grounds of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), Central Business District, Garki, brought together senior government officials, diplomatic representatives, and military leadership who paid tributes to a leader widely remembered for his discipline, courage, and decisive public service.
Also paying tribute at the wreath laying event was the President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco, represented by the Special Envoy of the President, Dr. Dionisio Manuel Da Fonseca, Executive Minister and Chief of the Civil House of the President; members of the diplomatic corps, and political leaders.
The laying of wreaths which was led by President Tinubu represented by Senator Akume was preceded by the observance of a minute of silence in a ceremony marked by reflection and reverence.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the family, Risqua Muhammed, son of the late General, described his father as “an unrelenting patriot who believed Nigeria can be stronger than the divisions that hold us back.”
Risqua added that the commemoration was “a call to remember not only the man, but the quality of leadership he represented. “His legacy proved that impact in leadership is not measured by length of time in office”.
“General Murtala Muhammed ruled for just 200 days, yet he is still remembered. What matters is not how long you stay in office, but what you do and how your legacy affects the lives of others,” he said.
Presenting the tribute by the Nigerian Army, The Nigeria Military Secretary, Major General Evaristus Okoro in his tribute honoured General Muhammed as a soldier-statesman whose legacy continues to challenge institutions to uphold professionalism and accountability.
His words, “Remembrance must translate into responsibility. This tribute is an opportunity for us to recommit to disciplined service, national unity, and the ideals of leadership that place country above self”.
The day’s observances were wrapped up with a special Juma’at service at the Abuja National Mosque, where clerics, members of the Muhammed family, senior government officials, diplomatic representatives, and invited guests gathered in prayers for the repose of the late Head of State and for national unity.
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