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Obasanjo: Untold Tale Of How I Survived 1976 Coup

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Olusegun Obasanjo has opened up on how fate helped him survive the 1976 coup attempt that brought down the General Murtala Muhammed administration.

He specifically praised Gen. Olu Bajowa (rtd.) for his role in helping him survive the coup.

Dr. Obasanjo spoke at the celebration of the 80th birthday of General Bajowa in Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

While describing Bajowa as a respectful man, Obasanjo opened up on how he survived the 1976 coup scare:

“When Dimka coup came, if Olu had not been what and what he is, I would have gone with the coup.

“Olu is very respectful; he is very conscious of our culture. He had a child, a boy, and wanted to name the child after me. He had to call me early in the morning, that morning Dimka struck.

“And because Olu said he was coming, I had to wait a little bit. I waited beyond the time I would have gone out. Olu then came, he made the request and I granted the request.

“So, I was a little bit late in going on the route that I normally took to work. And Reinumuje went ahead of me and they thought it was me and they shot his car. They shot his car, Murtala was shot. Indirectly, that is how Olu Bajowa saved my life.”

Meanwhile Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has described Prince (Gen) Olu Bajowa as one of the illustrious sons of the state who has brought pride to the sunshine state.

Governor Akeredolu spoke at the commissioning of a community radio station, Awawa 94.1 FM as part of the activities marking the 80th Birthday of the retired Army General.

Governor Akeredolu noted that having become a General in the Nigerian Army at the young age of 38 years, Prince Bajowa’s exploit in the Nigerian Army was a thing of pride to the government and people of Ondo State.

Arakunrin Akeredolu commended the commitment of Prince Bajowa to the development of his community and the state at large.

He stressed that even at 80, the retired Army General is still very agile, adding that there was every cause to thank God for his life.

While commissioning the Awawa 94.1 FM, built by Prince Bajowa, Governor Akeredolu called for the dissemination of information that directly benefits the people of the area in general.

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