Sunday, July 27, 2025
  • REPORT A STORY
  • PRIVACY
  • CONTACT US
WITHIN NIGERIA - NEWS PICKS
  • HOME
  • FEATURES
  • NEWS PICKS
    • BREAKING
    • National
    • Local News
    • Politics
    • Diaspora
    • Business
    • Education
    • Sports
    • World News
      • Africa
      • U.S
      • Asia
      • Europe
    • XTRA
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • MORE
    • GIST
    • ARTICLES
    • VIDEOS
No Result
View All Result
WITHIN NIGERIA - NEWS PICKS
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • FEATURES
  • NEWS PICKS
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • MORE

Military officers thought I was Yoruba – IBB reveals why he added Babangida to his names

Afolabi Hakim by Afolabi Hakim
February 23, 2025
in National
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
0
IBB
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Babangida, who made the disclosure in his new memoir, A Journey in Service, said most military officers confused his name, “Badamasi,” for the Yoruba name “Gbadamosi.”

Former Military Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), says military officers thought he was a Nigerian of Yoruba extraction.

According to him, in his early days as an officer, he had to contend with the incessant inquisitions of his ethnic group as he got asked if he was a Yoruba by his colleagues in the military a lot.

Babangida, who made the disclosure in his new memoir, A Journey in Service, said most military officers confused his name, “Badamasi,” for the Yoruba name “Gbadamosi.”

The former military Head of State, who hails from Minna in Niger State, said the constant mix-up and questioning, led him to adopt his father’s name, Babangida, to clarify his identity.

READ ALSO

Northern Nigeria is bleeding – David Mark

Stop misleading the world about Nigeria, NiDCOM boss tells Kemi Badenoch

Buhari’s frequent medical trip abroad not a distrust of Nigeria’s healthcare system, Garba Shehu counters Adesina

Kano governor orders probe of commissioner who stood as surety for drug baron

He narrated: “I RETURNED TO Nigeria from India in January 1964 as 2nd Lt. Ibrahim Badamasi, with personal Army number N/438. I was promptly deployed to the reconnaissance squadron (the ‘Turaki’ Squadron), First Brigade, Kaduna.

“Although the overall Commander of the First Brigade was Brigadier Samuel Adesujo Ademulegun, young officers hardly had contact with him. I had Major Chris Anuforo, Major Hassan Katsina, and Major Okpo Isong as my immediate commanders. These senior officers were very kind to me in their different ways.

“However, before I settled down to work at the First Brigade, a particular incident led me to add ‘Babangida’ to my name. During official engagements that led to my deployment to Kaduna, officers who confused the Yoruba name ‘Gbadamosi’ with my last name, ‘Badamasi,’ repeatedly asked me whether I was Yoruba.

“That question had also come up a few years before, during my enlistment interview for the military. Since that question persisted (and since I knew I wasn’t Yoruba!), I decided to take on my father’s other name as my last name. And I remember joking about it then and saying: ‘Regardless of the name change, I am still my father’s son!’

“As happens with new and young entrants into the profession, especially those on overseas courses, I was put on probation for months after returning from India. Somewhere along the line, a final report arrived saying that I was okay and ready for work.”

POPULAR TODAY

    • All
    • National
    • Local News
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Sports
    • XTRA

    BREAKING: Nigeria rally from two goals down to defeat Morocco in WAFCON final

    July 26, 2025

    ADC inaugurates 23-member campaign council for Anambra guber poll

    July 26, 2025

    Why Peter Obi must notify Gov Okpebholo before visiting Edo – Oshiomhole

    July 26, 2025

    PDP to Fayose: You’re a betrayer, you’ve lost relevance, leave our party

    July 26, 2025

    Discussion about this post

    ADVERTISEMENT
    NEWS PICKS — WITHIN NIGERIA

    WITHIN NIGERIA MEDIA LTD.

    NEWS, MULTI MEDIA

    WITHIN NIGERIA is an online news media that focuses on authoritative reports, investigations and major headlines that springs from National issues, Politics, Metro, Entertainment; and Articles.

    Follow us on social media:

    CORPORATE LINKS

    • About
    • Contacts
    • Report a story
    • Advertisement
    • Content Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms
     
    • Fact-Checking Policy
    • Ethics Policy
    • Corrections Policy
    • REPORT A STORY
    • PRIVACY
    • CONTACT US

    © 2022 WITHIN NIGERIA MEDIA LTD. designed by WebAndName

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password?

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In
    No Result
    View All Result
    • HOME
    • FEATURES
    • NEWS PICKS
      • BREAKING
      • National
      • Local News
      • Politics
      • Diaspora
      • Business
      • Education
      • Sports
      • World News
        • Africa
        • U.S
        • Asia
        • Europe
      • XTRA
    • ENTERTAINMENT
    • MORE
      • GIST
      • ARTICLES
      • VIDEOS

    © 2022 WITHIN NIGERIA MEDIA LTD. designed by WebAndName