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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday participated in a wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of the late General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, GCFR.
The event attracted several distinguished personalities, including Senator Daisy Danjuma, wife of retired Lt General Theophilus Danjuma; Dr Aisha Muhammed Oyebode, daughter of the late Head of State and Chief Executive Officer of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation; her husband, Gbenga Oyebode; and the Chairman of Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Hon Bola Oladunjoye, alongside other officials and guests.
Participants laid wreaths at the cenotaph in honour of General Muhammed, paying tribute to his life, leadership, and enduring contributions to Nigeria.
General Murtala Ramat Muhammed served as Nigeria’s Head of State from July 1975 until his assassination on February 13, 1976.
Although his administration lasted just seven months, it gained recognition for far-reaching reforms, including the restructuring of the civil service, the creation of new states, the fight against corruption, and the initiation of a transition to civilian rule.
He came to power through a bloodless coup that removed General Yakubu Gowon and quickly introduced wide-ranging policy changes.
His leadership ended abruptly when gunmen ambushed his convoy in Ikoyi, Lagos, during a failed coup attempt, killing him alongside his driver and aide-de-camp.
After his death, his deputy, Lieutenant General Olusegun Obasanjo, assumed leadership and continued the transition to civilian government.
Fifty years on, commemorative events are taking place throughout February 2026, including exhibitions, policy dialogues, memorial services, and wreath-laying ceremonies, all celebrating General Muhammed’s legacy and lasting influence on Nigeria’s history.
