Early Life
Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi was born to Mazi Ezeugo Aguiyi's on March 3, 1924, in Umuahia-Ibeku, present day Abia State, Nigeria. When he was eight years old, Ironsi moved in with his older sister Anyamma, who was married to Theophilius Johnson, a Sierra Leonean diplomat in Umuahia. Ironsi subsequently took the last name of his brother-in-law, who became his father figure. At the age of 18, Ironsi joined the Nigerian Army against the wishes of his sister.
Read more about this topic: Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
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