Preceded by Brig P.A. Eromobor Years of service 1962–1980 Succeeded by David Jemibewon Preceded by Samuel Ogbemudia Name George Innih Service/branch Nigerian Army | Preceded by Ibrahim Taiwo Role Nigerian statesman Rank Major general Nationality Nigerian Died August 15, 2002, Germany | |
Born 25 September 1938
Agenebode, Etsako East, Edo State, Nigeria ( 1938-09-25 ) Education Royal Military Academy Sandhurst | ||
George Agbazika Innih (25 September 1938 – 15 August 2002) was a Nigerian Army General and Statesman. He was the Military Governor of Bendel and Kwara States.
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Early years
George Agbazika Innih was born on September 25, 1938 at Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State. He was educated at catholic school, Akure, the Government school in Warri, the Holy cross catholic school in Benin City and Edo College, Benin City.
Military career
He joined the army, and was trained at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, England (1962), then at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, England (1962–1964) and 1972. He was appointed Platoon Commander, 4th Infantry Battalion, Ibadan (1964–65), Deputy Military Secretary, Supreme Headquarters, Lagos, Colonel General Staff 3rd Marine Commando (1968–69) and Brigade Commander, 5 Infantry Brigade, Onitsha 1974-74.
After the coup of 29 July 1975 by Brigadier Murtala Mohammed, he was made Military Governor of Bendel State, since split into Edo State and Delta State. Soon after taking control, he dissolved the executive council and the boards of statutory corporations, suspended all contract awards, and set up committees to review finances and projects undertaken by his predecessor Samuel Ogbemudia. Several serving officers were retired from service.
On 13 February 1976 General Murtala Mohammed was killed in a failed coup and his second-in-command, his Chief of Staff Lt-Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, was appointed as Head of State. In March, Obasanjo reassigned Colonel Innih to Kwara state, replacing him with Navy captain Hussaini Abdullahi. Innih served in Kwara State as Military Governor until 1978.
He was Quarter Master General of the Nigerian Army (1978–79) and General Officer Commanding, I Infantry Division, Nigerian Army (1979–80), when he retired.
Subsequent career
Innih became the President of Retired Officers of Nigerian Armed Forces Organization (RANAO). He was Chairman/Managing Director Niger Valley Agro Industries Limited, Chairman / Managing Director Tamsaks Nigeria Limited and Chairman Bridgestone Finance Limited. He was honored with the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). The University of Ilorin awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Law in 1998. He died in 2002.