Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday attended a wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of former Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed.
The ceremony took place at the cenotaph of the late general in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Among those present were Senator Daisy Danjuma, wife of retired Lieutenant General Theophilus Danjuma; Aisha Oyebode, daughter of the late general and chief executive officer of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation; her husband, Gbenga Oyebode and the chairman of Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area, Bola Oladunjoye.
Wreaths were laid at the cenotaph in remembrance of Muhammed and his role in Nigeria’s history.
General Muhammed served as Nigeria’s Head of State from July 1975 until his assassination on February 13, 1976.
He came to power through a coup that removed General Yakubu Gowon.
During his seven months in office, Muhammed introduced reforms in the civil service, created new states, initiated measures against corruption and began steps towards a return to civilian rule.
His tenure ended after his convoy was ambushed in Ikoyi during an attempted coup. He was killed alongside his driver and aide-de-camp.
Following his death, his deputy, Lieutenant General Olusegun Obasanjo, assumed leadership and continued the transition programme that later led to civilian governance.
Commemorative activities marking the 50th anniversary of Muhammed’s death are being held throughout February.
The events include exhibitions, policy discussions, memorial gatherings and wreath-laying ceremonies across the country.
