Emmanuel Arinze Ifeajuna won Nigeria’s first Commonwealth Games gold medal on July 31, 1954 in Vancouver, Canada. Thirteen years later, he was executed by firing squad on allegations that he planned to oust Col. Emeka Ojukwu as Biafran President. It is 50 years since the Chemistry graduate of the University of Ibadan died.
Ifeajuna became a celebrity when he scaled six feet, eight inches (6″ 8′) to put his country ahead of many others. Compatriots Patrick Etolu and Nafiu Osagie followed with the silver and bronze medals to make the High Jump event an all-Nigeria clean sweep.
More silver medals came through the quartet of Abdul Karim Ohimai (A.K.) Amu, K.A.B. Olowu, Musliu Aremu Arogundade and Edward Ajado in the men’s 4×100 metres relay and Olowu again, in the Long Jump. Ifeajuna had jumped far above his height which was not a common feat in those years.
Ifeajuna bagged a nickname for that performance. He was known as ‘Emma Vancouver’. From his Onitsha hometown to the Chief Secretary’s Office, Lagos where he functioned a Junior Clerical officer with certificate obtained from Dennis Memorial Grammar School ( DMGS) Onitsha, the golden boy was hero worshipped.
Next attraction was the University where he earned a degree in Chemistry. His mates included Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Emeka Anyaoku, Chris Okigbo, Bola Ige, Gamaliel Onosode, Grace Alele-Williams, Edward Kobani, Olu Akaraogun and Uche Chukwumerije.
In 1960, Ifeajuna joined the Army and was sent to Mons, Aldershot, England for training. By 1966, he was wearing the rank of Major and served as Brigade Major of the Second Brigade, Apapa, Lagos under Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari, Njgeria’s first Sandhurst polished officers.
It took just six years for Ifeajuna to be involved in a coup d’etat. Six Majors : Chukwuma Nzeogwu, Wale Ademoyega, Christian Anuforo, Donatus Okafor, Humphrey Chukuka and Timothy Onwuatuegwu joined him. Ifeajuna was brutal. He killed Maimalari who ran to him for help, murdered Lt.Col Abogo Largema at Ikoyi Hotel and took away Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa who later died.
The coup failed and he first escaped to Enugu in his Mercedes Benz car before running away through the Seme border to Ghana. President Kwame Nkrumah welcomed him warmly.The stay was brief. One month on, Lt. Arthur, announced what was called ‘Operation Guitar Boy’. The military led by Okatakye Afrifa sacked the Osagyefo. They also sent Ifeajuna back to Nigeria.
Detained in Uyo, Ifeajuna was later released to fight for Biafra. When Ojukwu handed over command of 101 Division to Brigadier Victor Adebukonola Banjo, the former Commonwealth champion was appointed Staff Officer and promoted Lt.Col. The moment the tide turned, master and boss fell into trouble.
A Special Tribunal under the Law and Order Maintanance decree, headed by Justice G.C. Nkemena, was set up to try Banjo, Ifeajuna, Major Philip Maya Alale and Sam Agbam for plotting to overthrow the government. Other members of the tribunal were Brigadier U.O. Imo and John Udoffia. Onitsha lawyer, Godwin Nzegwu, withdrew from the panel, convinced that the plotters would not get fair hearing. On September 22, 1967, the four men were executed in Enugu.
Ifeajuna’s short military career seems to have dwarfed his feat as the country’s first Commonwealth champion. In 1987, when the first National Sports Award ceremony took place in Lagos, his name was conspicously missing. The government owned Daily Times and Guardian wrote strong Editorials condemning the organisers.
It was laughable that all those who won silver in Vancouver were honoured.Two High Jumpers who took part in the 1950 Commonwealth Games but won nothing: B.A.A.Guobadia and J.O. Majekodunmi made the honours list. The latter was a national superstar having held the long jump title five times (1947,1948, 1949,1951,1952).
Another High jumper, Amelia Okoli (later Mrs Okpalaoka), whose best was an All Africa Games gold at Brazzaville ’65 and appearances at Cardiff ’58 Commonwealth and Tokyo ’64 Olympic Games respectively was among the honourees. Ifeajuna was not even mentioned.
“You may kill me now but I’m afraid it is too late. I am sorry for you all because it won’t be long before they get all of you. The Nigerians are already in your midst.” Those were Ifeajuna’s last words. Today, the Nigerian government has not forgiven him. His family of wife, Rose and children, Arinze and Fuju, have not forgotten. The sports world will never forget him.
