Birth and early life.
Murtala Ramat Muhammad (GCFR) was a Nigerian army General also a leader who was born on the 8th day of November 1938 in Kurawa quarters of the ancient city of Kano State. He was the second child of his parent’s eight children and he was born into a ruling-class religious family.
His father named Muhammed Risqua was from the fulani Genawa Clan and he worked in the Kano Native authority and was related to Aminu Kano, Inuwa Wada and Aminu Wali. He died in 1953.
His mother named Uwani Rahamatu was from Kanuri and Fulani Jobawa Clan which includes the Makama of Kano and Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila.
Educational Status.
Murtala Ramat Muhammad Started his his education in 1944 at Cikin Gida Elementary school which was inside the emir’s palace, and then he was transferred to Gidan Makama primary school which was just outside the palace. He attended Kano Middle School (now Rumfa College) in 1949 and he went to the famous Government College (now Barewa college) in Zaria from 1952 to 1957 where he obtained his school leaving certificate. He was a member of the cadet corps and was a captain of shooting in his final year. He applied to join the Nigerian army in 1958 and finished his training as a second lieutenant in 1961.
Marriage and children.
Murtala Ramat Muhammad was married to his spouse Hafsat Ajoke Muhammad in 1963 and their union was blessed with Six children named Aisha, Zakari(deceased), Fatima, Risqua also known as Abba, Zeliha and Jummai. Abba Muhammad was a special adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo on privatization.
Career.
Murtala Ramat Muhammad joined the Nigerian army in 1958, he did his short training stints in Nigeria and Ghana and then he was trained as an officer cadets at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy England.
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1961 after his training and was assigned to the Nigerian army signals. In 1962, he was appointed aide-de-camp to MA Majekodunmi, the administrator of the western region federally.
In 1963, Murtala became the officer in-charge of the first Brigade signals troop in Kaduna and he went for a course on advanced telecommunications techniques and after returning to Nigeria in 1964,he was promoted to Major and was appointed as officer – commanding.
In November 1965, Murtala was made acting chief of signals of the army while his partenal Uncle Inuwa Wada was appointed as the Minister of defense.
Murtala eventually rose through the ranks to become Brigadier General in 1971 at the age of 33 years where he was among the youngest Generals in Nigeria. Three years later, he become the federal commissioner for communications in Lagos.
Murtala led the Northern counter – coup forces in overthrowing the republic of Nigeria and featured prominently during the Nigerian Civil War and thereafter ruled over Nigeria from 30th July 1975 until his assassination on 13th February 1976. This period in Nigerian history from the Northern counter – coup victory to Murtala’s death is commonly associated with the institutionalization of the Military in Politics.
Some Honors and achievements of Murtala Ramat Muhammad.
His portrait adorns the 20 Naira note which is the only Nigerian currency note that featured military Man while the other notes featured civilians.
- In every major capital city in Nigeria there is a “Murtala Muhammad Way”
- International Airport of Lagos State was named after his name by General Olusegun Obasanjo which is one of the busiest airports in Africa.
- Murtala Muhammad increased the number of States of Nigeria from 12 to 19 with the creation of seven states :-Anambra, Imo, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo and Plateau ten days before his death.
He was assassinated on the day he reached 200 days in office that is on Friday 13th February 1976.
