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NEWS
THE NATION ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2014
BENJAMIN ADEKUNLE 1936-2014
War hero Benjamin Adekunle dies at 78
NE of the country's most accomplished strategists and celebrated hero of the Nigerian Civil War, Brigadier General Benjamin Maja Adekunle died yesterday in the course of a protracted illness. The Black Scorpion, as he was affectionately called in recognition of his war exploits, was aged 78. News of his passing away was broken by his widow, Folake, in a text message yesterday. She wrote: "This is Folake Adekunle, GEB Adekunle's wife. I just want to inform u that GEN Adekunle died this morning." As news of his demise spread, prominent Nigerians including his colleagues in the army began paying tribute to his memory. President Goodluck Jonathan called him one of the most celebrated military commanders of his generation while former President Olusegun Obasanjo said his contribution during the civil war would not be forgotten in a hurry. For APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, he is a generalissimo and one of the most remarkable icons of Nigeria's military history. Senate President David Mark, a retired soldier described him as one man who fought vehemently to keep the nation untied. The President said Adekunle achieved national fame during the Nigerian civil war for his gallant leadership of the 3rd Marine Commandoes in the successful effort to defend the unity and territorial integrity of the country. His war heroics, President Jonathan added, made him easily one of the most celebrated military commanders of his generation, and have ensured that he will always be honoured and remembered as a valiant soldier who served his fatherland exceptionally well at a very trying time in its history. He enjoins the Adekunle family, friends, former military colleagues and all who mourn his passing to also give thanks to God for blessing the nation with fearless soldiers and patriots of his calibre who stand ready to lay down their lives for the peace, unity and progress of their country. President Jonathan prayed that God Almighty might comfort the grieving family and associates. Chief Obasanjo who was Adekunle's contemporary in the army said he was shocked by the development. Adekunle's exit, according to him, will leave a vacuum very difficult to fill. Obasanjo described the deceased as a "friend, colleague and course mate," adding that his contribution during the Civil War was no mean effort, which would also be remembered for long a time. He recalled that both of them trained together as young soldiers in Ghana. Obasanjo succeeded Adekunle at the 3rd Marine Commandoes during the war. Tinubu in a statement entitled 'General Benjamin Adekunle: The Generalissimo has fallen', said he was
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*He's one of the most celebrated military commanders of his generation, says Jonathan *He can't be forgotten in a hurry -Obasanjo *He's a soldier's soldier -Tinubu By Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor/ Joe Agbro/Ernest Nwokolo/Onyedi Ojiabor
saddened by his demise. His words: "The Civil War Hero was a Soldier's Soldier. He was a man of valour and unimaginable bravery. Lionhearted and a leader of men. He served his Fatherland devotedly and without question when we most needed him. "Like most great men, he was greatly misunderstood. His flamboyant and outspoken nature made him a colourful character. However,
that never stopped him from emerging as one of the most remarkable icons in Nigeria's military history. "The "Black Scorpion" was a man of uncommon intelligence and fierce determination. On the battle field, he had no equal. He represented the best generation of our military personnel. The ones who refused to back down from any enemy; who put their very
existence on the line for our continued coexistence. "Of all of Gen. Adekunle's qualities, it is his loyalty to the flag that I most admire. He was a worthy ambassador of his people and a great example in service. He led from the front. "Let it be said of Gen. Adekunle: 'Here is a man who gave his country the best of his life.' May his warrior soul find rest. And I pray his wife family find the fortitude to bare the irreparable loss." Senate President David Mark said Adekunle was a success in all ramifications of his military career.
Mark, who retired from the army as brigadier-general like Adekunle recalled the role late Adekunle played during the Civil war, saying: "He led the Third Marine Commando Division with such great panache and determination and precision. "He was a father, a brother, a substantive army General and a patriotic Nigerian. We are pained at the news of his death." "Even in death, Nigerians will forever be grateful for the services Late Adekunle rendered for the nation's unity," Mark noted. He asked the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to immortalize the late General as a morale booster to our service men who are placed in harm's way for us to have a peaceful nation.
It was all quiet at his Eric Moore Close, Surulere, Lagos residence yesterday after news of his death broke. When The Nation got to the modest bungalow, the few relatives gathered there said the widow was not in the right frame of mind to speak to journalists. "Yes, she is inside but she cannot attend to you now. Please bear with us, she is being attended to by her people," they said. When, The Nation put a call across to Mrs. Folake Adekunle on her mobile phone, she simply said: "it happened this morning (Saturday). He is dead. He died this morning. Sorry I cannot say more. I am still too shocked to say anything. Thank you." A male relative who said the family would meet soon on the burial arrangement. "The incident just happened. As you can see, not many people are aware yet. There are things we need to do first as a family. Those are the things we are doing now. We will talk to the press. Somebody will talk to the press but not now," he explained. General Adekunle had been ill for some time now. His condition degenerated so much mid last year that his son, Biodun ,had to go public for government and the army to come to his aid. He was born on June 26, 1936 in Kaduna to an Ogbomoso father and a Bachama (in Adamawa State) mother. He joined the army in 1957. He served as Aide-decamp to former Governor of the old Eastern Region, Dr. Akanu Ibiam. He was pioneer Commander of the 3rd Marine Commando during the war and was compulsorily retired from the army in 1974.
I was his shoe shine boy -Uduaghan • Front view of Benjamin Adekunle’s deserted residence in Surulere, Lagos yesterday. INSET: Late Adekunle
PHOTO: OLUSEGUN RAPHAEL
Aregbesola commiserates with Adekunle family T
HE Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has commiserated with the family of the Nigeria's civil war hero, Brig. Gen. Benjamin Adekunle (retd), popularly known as Black Scorpion who died yesterday in Lagos. In a statement by his Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the governor said the death of Adekunle has closed a long chapter in the history of the nation as it relates to the Nigerian civil war.
From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo
Aregbesola said Adekunle played a crucial role in the civil war that almost liquidated the Nigerian nationhood. The governor noted that irrespective of what some people might believe or not believe about the deceased, Adekunle played a vital role in making sure Nigeria remained a united country. He said: "We receive with
heavy heart the death of one of Nigeria's finest soldiers who fought for the unity of his country. No doubt, he was a soldier of soldiers and commander of men. He distinguished himself in his chosen profession both at home and abroad. "Adekunle led the Third Marine Commando Division during the civil war with such great courage and determination. Up till today, his war exploits in the
command of the Third Marine remains a subject of discussion across Nigeria and beyond. "The history of postindependent Nigeria and the crises that threatened the young nation's existence will be incomplete without a chapter for this courageous soldier. "We, the government and people of Osun, convey our heartfelt condolences to the immediate and extended families of Adekunle, and the government and people of Oyo State. We pray that God repose his gentle soul in paradise."
He was dedicated, patriotic, says Soun of Ogbomoso
T
HE Soun of Ogbomoso land, Oba Jimoh Ajagungbade III, has described the late Gen Benjamin Adekunle, who died yesterday as a patriotic, dedicated and upright Nigerian who fought tirelessly and victoriously to ensure the unity of the country.
By Bode Durojaiye
According to the monarch, "Nigerians and indeed the people Ogbomoso would forever remember the brave soldier and dogged fighter for his uncompromising love for his fatherland."
The late war hero held the traditional title of Asipa of Ogbomoso land from where he hailed. When our reporter visited the town yesterday, the people wore mournful look as cross section of them were seen in groups discussing the death of the man most of them described as a "gallant warrior".
One of the residents and a community leader, Dapo Atanda, a lawyer lamented that the name of the gallant soldier was omitted from national merit awards of the country. He regretted that despite Adekunle's selfless service to the country, he was never accorded any honour let alone appreciated for his unprecedented gallantry.
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ELTA State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has disclosed that he was the late war hero’s shoe shine boy in Sapele during the Nigerian Civil War. The governor had in an interview in 2012 told an online p u b l i c a t i o n , www.todaysnigeria.com: "My father was Chief Edmund Dudu Uduaghan. He died some years back. He was a policeman for several years. He retired as Inspector after 33 years in the Police Force and became a chief of the Warri kingdom. "I remember an incident during the Nigerian Civil War when the Biafran soldiers occupied part of Midwest. All the policemen sent their families home. Because when the Biafran soldiers come, the first place they capture is the police station. They were there for some weeks until the federal soldiers came to liberate Sapele. Since the whole family had gone to the village, I was the only one living with him in the barracks. "Opposite where we were staying was the Inspectors' House which Brigadier-Gen. Benjamin Adekunle took over and was staying there. For the few days he stayed there, he would bring his boots out and I would go and pick it and clean it and shine it, because he said he loved the way I used to shine my father's shoes."