By Paul Omo Okojie
‘’We are not promising you anything miraculous or spectacular. But what we do promise every law abiding citizen is freedom from fear and all form of oppression, freedom from general inefficiency and freedom to live and strive in every field of human endeavor both nationally and internationally. We promise that you would no longer be ashamed to say that you are Nigerians.’’ These are the words of the man who changed the Destiny of Nigerian politics and government over fifty years after his words still have great implications in the Nigerian society today.
As a nation, many would say his action culminated into the painful civil war of 1967-1970. Many Nigerians do not know who this young man really is, let me be fair enough to introduce him properly Major. Patrick Chukwuma ‘’Kaduna’’ Nzeogwu, was born in Kaduna on the 26th February 1937 to Mr. James and Elizabeth Nzeogwu who lived in Kaduna; Chukwuma had his education in Kaduna town and was a catholic Christian and had a good religious upbringing. Major P.CK. Nzeogwu, enlisted in the army as a soldier in training (SIT) officer cadet in March 1957. He had a six(6) months training in Ghana the then Gold coast, and from there proceeded to Mons in Aldershot and Sandhurst Royal Military Academy in United Kingdom.
When Nzeogwu returned to Nigeria in 1960 as an officer of the Nigerian Army, He was posted to the First Battalion in Enugu, because of his principled nature and his contempt for injustice, his activities in the first Battalion made him get a transfer to 5th Battalion in Kaduna the town where he grew up as a child. Chukwuma was part of the Nigerian soldiers who went to Congo for the united Nation Peace keeping mission in 1960. On his arrival from Congo, he worked briefly at the Nigerian Army Training Depot in Zaria as a training officer, before he was posted to Army Headquarters in Lagos to take charge of the Nigerian Military intelligence.
Chukwuma, was the first Nigerian Army officer to work and lead the Military Intelligence in Nigeria. He practically founded the Nigerian Military Intelligence Bonny Camp which still stand today. Major Nzeogwu, was part of the team that investigated the treasonable felony case of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and members of his party the Action Group. Major Nzeogwu, was a very well informed army officer, he was well read and had the strong desire to change the status quo of the African man and the Nigerian Nation, with the little knowledge he had gained in his short life since as a civilian and a soldier.
The action of Chukwuma, lead to so many things and many Nigerians hold against him for the misfortune we face in our Nation today. Although I was not born in that generation, but I can at least in my opinion say that Major P K C Nzeogwu is the one of the best warriors that have served in the Nigeria Army. Chukwuma saw the activities of politicians in the first republic who wanted to keep the country divided for their own selfish interest and he stood up against it.
However, he was aware of the evil activities of corruption in the then first republic which was very alarming and detrimental to National and economic growth, he knew that the political class was not ready to change the situation, and their activities was leading Nigeria into doom. There was complete breakdown of law and order in the country, people were being killed for their political affiliation, tribal discrimination and regionalism, houses where burnt down by hoodlums the lawlessness spiraled out of control especially in the Western region.
The political class at that time was clueless about the situation and did nothing, rather they were planning to use the Army against their political opponents. However, as a counter Intelligence officer the Major knew that something had to be done urgently to salvage the country from disintegration and the political structure had to be changed with a better system put in place to bring meaningful development into the Nation.
On January 15th 1966, Major Nzeogwu said in his broadcast. “The aim of the revolutionary council is to establish a strong united and prosperous nation free from corruption and internal strife.” With a closer look into this statement I see a man who was very desperate and passionate about his country, a man who had a dream of a great Nation for us all. A man who wanted us to be happy as Nigerians, a man who hated corruption with every part of him and didn’t worry about who would go for Nigeria to remain a working and developing Nation.
Although, his methods may not be acceptable, but it was necessary for the nation to survive making sacrifices. Human imperfections would always play a role in the activities of men and every good desire must be confronted with it challenges, that was the case of the January 15th 1966 coup. Now fifty years has passed do we as Nigerians live in Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu’s dream? I would say yes! To be fair Nigerians now live in the dreams of the major who planned the first military coup in Africa and Nigeria to overthrow a clueless government.
In whatever way his actions may have ended, today we are more united as a Nation with a strong center. Today we have a president who is fighting corruption and his action has thrown shock waves of fear into the spine of ruthless political criminals who looted and robbed Nigerians of their common wealth. The January 15th 1966 coup which is the day the Nigerian Army discovered that they have to play a crucial part in shaping the Nigerian government which they all swore to bleed and die for. The same January 15th 1970 the civil war ended and the country was back to the road of peace and unity.
Finally, Major. Patrick Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu saw the future we are all living today as Nigerians, he wanted us to be proud as Nigerians, he wanted a better nation devoid of malpractice and disorderliness his dreams are here even if corruption has gone worse, we are more united as a Nation and we shall remain united. Nigeria isn’t a man’s design but God’s deign, may the labor and sacrifices of our Nigerian Heroes past never be in vain.
