AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PLACE OF MAJOR EMMANUEL IFEAJUNA IN NIGERIA’S SOCIO-POLITICAL HISTORY BETWEEN JANUARY 1966 – AUGUST, 1967 

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PLACE OF MAJOR EMMANUEL IFEAJUNA IN NIGERIA’S SOCIO-POLITICAL HISTORY BETWEEN JANUARY 1966 – AUGUST, 1967 

ABSTRACT

The subject matter of this project report deals with the assessment of the place of Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna in Nigeria’s socio-political history between January 1966 – August 1967. This topic has agitated the mind of the author for quite a long time. He was particularly motivated to undertake this study after reading many books on Nigeria-Biafra Civil War. He observed with interest the conflicting reports of these authors on the immediate and remote causes of the civil war and the role of Major Ifeajuna in the coup of January 15th, 1966? He felt therefore that since the war was a major chapter in the socio-political life of Nigeria, efforts should be made to assess the role of Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna, one of the key players of the coup that eventually led to the civil war.  The project is divided into eight chapters. Chapter one deals with the Introduction which encompassed the abstract, the purpose/need for the study, scope and limitation of the study and the methodology/sources/organisation of the work. Chapter two deals with the literature review. The review of literature for this study cuts across primary and secondary sources. Chapter Three treats the background of the man, Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna, his origin, his school days and his military orientation. Chapter Four delves into Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna’s role in the January 15th 1966 coup and his leadership role in the coup. Chapter Five discussed the failure of the five majors in the coup attempt and Ifeajuna’s flight to Ghana. Chapter Six examines the regime of Major General Aguiyi Ironsi and the events of the coup during which he lost his life. Chapter Seven critically analyses Ifeajuna’s role in the Biafra war, particularly in the Midwestern region. Chapter Eight concludes the study.