Family to Hold 60th Memorial for Nigeria's First Military Leader Aguiyi-Ironsi.

The family of the late Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, Nigeria's first Military Head of State, has announced plans to commemorate the 60th anniversary of his death with a memorial ceremony in Umuahia, Abia State.

According to a statement issued by his son, Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, the event will take place on Wednesday at the Aguiyi-Ironsi Tomb Site and will include a wreath-laying ceremony to honour the former military leader's legacy.

Thomas said the memorial is an opportunity to celebrate Aguiyi-Ironsi's leadership, patriotism, and contributions to Nigeria's unity and development. He also announced that a memorial Mass for Lady Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, the late Head of State's wife, will be held on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Afara-Ukwu, Umuahia.

President Bola Tinubu, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and several prominent Nigerians are expected to attend the anniversary ceremony.

Lady Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi passed away on August 23, 2021, at the age of 97. Major General Aguiyi-Ironsi, who was born on March 3, 1924, became Nigeria's first Military Head of State following the January 1966 coup but was assassinated on July 29, 1966, during the July counter-coup, ending his brief tenure in office.

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