As part of the golden jubilee of its independence, the Government of the Republic of Angola has announced the conferment of a prestigious National Order of Honour on Nigeria’s late Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, GCFR. The recognition pays homage to his pivotal role in supporting Angola during its liberation struggle nearly five decades ago.
In an official communication addressed to the family of the former Nigerian leader, Angola’s Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. José Bamoquina Zau, disclosed that the honour, to be bestowed on November 6, is reflective of General Murtala Muhammed’s bold leadership and Nigeria’s unwavering support during a defining chapter in Angola’s history.
“On behalf of His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, we are pleased to inform you that His Excellency Murtala Ramat Muhammed, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will be decorated with the Class of Honour Medal, as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of our independence,” the letter read.
“This Medal of Honour is conferred in recognition of the unwavering support and solidarity extended by General Murtala Muhammed and the Nigerian people towards the political emancipation of the Republic of Angola.”
The accolade is steeped in historical significance. In 1975, when Angola was caught in the throes of a heated struggle for independence, General Murtala Muhammed made a decisive move by extending Nigeria’s formal recognition to the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA). His defiance of intense international pressure, particularly from Western powers opposed to the MPLA, not only reflected a commitment to African liberation but also shifted the balance in favour of freedom forces on the continent.
Murtala’s action reverberated across Africa, galvanizing solidarity against apartheid South Africa’s attempts to derail Angola’s independence efforts. It also helped pave the way for Angola’s eventual freedom on November 11, 1975 — an event engraved in the continent’s collective memory.
Nearly half a century later, Angola’s gesture serves as a profoundly symbolic affirmation of
