Let Anioma, Ijebu, Ogoja, Ibadan and other states be (5), by Eric Teniola
From last week continues the narrative about creation of new states in Nigeria.
By the way, talking about Brigadier Ally reminds me of his loyalty and service to this great country.
In 1954, the late Brigadier Godwin Ally, who hailed from Ogoja province, was in the first set of young boy soldiers to attend the Nigerian Military School in Zaria (then called “Boys Company”). He trained at the ROSTS in Ghana, MONS OCS in the UK and the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst from March 1959 until August 1962 when he was commissioned as a regular combatant along with Ibrahim Haruna, Musa Usman, Emmanuel Ikwue and Okpo Isong.
In August 1967, following the Biafran invasion of the Midwest, then Lt. Col. Godwin Ally took command of the newly created 7 Brigade between Ore and Okitipupa. He was responsible for pushing Biafran troops toward Benin along the Ore-Benin Road as the main 2DIV force descended from the north to cut them off.
After the federal recapture of Benin, he was tasked with the central axis in the advance to Abudu enroute to Asaba. Because of the destruction of the bridge over the Ossiomo (Orhionmwon) river, he had to execute a single envelopment via a detour through Owa Elero, emerging behind Biafran troops at Agbor in the process. He exploited toward Umunede, and then drove toward Asaba via Isele-Ukwu, taking Asaba after bloody fighting at St. Patrick’s College, along with elements of the 6 Brigade under Lt. Col. Alani Akinrinade.
Colonel Ally’s 7 Brigade was tasked with rear stability operations in the Asaba area. In September 1968, he was transferred to the 3Marine Commando where he became 1 Sector Commander with responsibility for the 15 and 16 Brigades. Subsequently, he was appointed the Chief of Staff of the 3Marine Commando Division initially under Colonel Benjamin Adekunle, but later under Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo. It was with then Lt. Col. Godwin Ally that the beleaguered 16 Brigade linked up in April 1969 after their break out from the siege of Owerri.
One of the members of the Barracks Panel, Maj. Gen. MC Alli once served under the late Brigadier in the 2nd Division during the war. In his book “The Federal Republic of Nigerian Army” he said of the late Brigadier Ally,
“The 7 Infantry Brigade Commander, Colonel Godwin Ally, a fiercely courageous, swashbuckling, highly committed officer and gentleman who led his troops from the front or amongst them at critical times. In a different environment, but within the same calling, he would be regarded as an example of a classical warrior or warlord. He would drive off to any sector of his command that ran into a stiff, tricky situation, extricate and stabilize the situation, give a word or two of advice to the Commanding Officer and like a whistle, he was gone to some other troubled area. He lasted the war, though with a couple of bullets to constantly remind him of Biafra. He was a warrior lost in the crowd after the war, he treated his captives with compassion and understanding. He was one of the most enduring officers and gentlemen for all times.”
Brigadier Godwin Ally was the Commander of the Lagos Garrison Organization when the coup against General Yakubu Gowon took place on July 29, 1975. He opposed the coup, expressed his displeasure, and was later retired on January 21st 1976.
While serving in Ikeja Garrison, his second in Command was Lt-Colonel Shehu Musa Yar’adua (5 March 1943 – 8 December 1997) who later became number 2 man in the country after General Murtala’s assassination in February 1976. Brigadier Ally’s ADC was Colonel Lawan Gwadabe (77), who later became the Military Governor of Niger State.
Brig Godwin Gregory Aja Ally was born on 1st January, 1940 in Ukwortung-Utugwang in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State to Pa Ally Atem and Ma Unwanyi Ally farmer and trader respectively.
He grew up in Zaria with his late elder brother Corporal Ulim Robinson Ally who was a soldier. As an intelligent boy in the barracks, he excelled in his primary school education and was enlisted into military institutions and went through several military schools and courses. His brilliance aided his military career with several positions and promotions until he retired voluntarily with the rank of Brigadier at the age of thirty-six years in 1976.
