Celebrating Biafran Legend General Madiebo As He Turns 90
Celebrating Biafran Legend General Madiebo As He Turns 90
Former GOC of the Biafran Army, Major General Alexander Madiebo, has turned 90 today
Madiebo was born in 1932 in his hometown Awka, present capital of Anambra State. He attended Federal government college Umuahia, Regular Officers Training College, Ghana, and the prestigious Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, England. Madiebo returned to Nigeria in December 1956 along with Yakubu Gowon, Arthur Unegbe, Mike Okwechime and Patrick Anwunah, where they were all commissioned as officers of the Nigerian Army.
In 1966 when the first coup happened, Lt Colonel Madiebo was briefly imprisoned in Kaduna by Major Nzeogwu. When the second coup of that year occurred and Nothern Soldiers were looking for Igbo officers to kill, Madiebo managed to escape from Kaduna back to the East, hiding inside the water tank of a train.
Back in the East, Madiebo was promoted to Brigadier General and given command of the 11th Brigade, Abakiliki. When Biafra was declared by Ojukwu on 30th May 1967, Ojukwu promoted Madiebo to Major General and appointed him General Officer commanding the entire Biafran Army
At the end of the war in 1970, Madiebo flew into exile with Ojukwu. He returned to Nigeria in 1980 and wrote one of the greatest books of the war "The Nigerian Revolution And Biafran War"
Madiebo is now retired and lives in his native Awka. He celebrated his birthday with his wife of over 60 years
Pic 1. Madiebo and wife celebrate his 90th birthday
Pic 2. Madiebo during the war, overall commander of the Biafran Army
Pic3 . Madiebo with Yakubu Gowon, Mike Okwechime, Patrick Anwunah and Arthur Unegbe during their training at Sandhurst Military Academy
Pic4 Madiebo as he passed out of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, England, December 1956
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