Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Brain behind NYSC, Ayanru, dies at 79

COL. Nicholas Ajayi Ayanru (rtd), who is regarded as the brain behind the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has passed on at 79.

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According to a statement, Ayanru died at a Lagos clinic where he had gone for a medical check-up after a seven-hour trip from Benin City, his hometown. Sources said he was in high spirit before he left Benin and attended a social function. But apparently the about seven-hour ride on the bumpy Benin-Shagamu-Lagos expressway took a toll on him.

The retired army officer reportedly collapsed and died as he climbed up the stairs of the clinic for the check-up.

Ayanru was principal staff officer to former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and the moving force of that regime's Kitchen Cabinet. His role in public mobilisation during the 30-month Biafra war was outstanding, being the face of Dodan Barracks to the world.

Born in Benin City, he attended Government school, Benin City and the famous Edo College, Benin and Kalabari National College, Buguma.

Ayanru later studied administration at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. He worked briefly with the Federal Civil Service and Lintas on his return to Nigeria, before he switched to the Nigerian Army as an officer. He was a captain at the time of the January 15, 19966 coup.

He managed security and other aspects of intelligence at Dodan Barracks on his posting there when Gowon came to power.

He was also the chairman of the Nigerian Airways in the early 1970s.

The deceased floated the idea of introducing national service for Nigerian graduates after the end of the civil war and he was on its board at its inauguration.

His brother-in-law, Mr. Taiwo Lawrence, who hurried back from London, said Brig.-Gen. Benjamin Adekunle, Ayanru's bosom friend, recently visited him in Benin.

With his passing, Col. Williams Walbe (rtd) is about the only living principal officer of war-time Gowon's Dodan Barracks, Gen. Ekpo and Gen. Joseph Garba having died some years ago.

Walbe was aide-de-camp to Gowon.

Ayanru is survived by a widow and many children.