Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey (6 March 1918 – 12 December 1991)[1] was a Nigerian Navy Vice Admiral who served as head of the Nigerian Navy (i.e. Chief of Naval Staff),[2] acting foreign minister,[3] and chief of staff of the Supreme Headquarters,[4] making him the de facto vice president of Nigeria during Yakubu Gowon's regime.
J. E. A. Wey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 2nd Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters | |
| In office 1 August 1966 – 29 July 1975 | |
| Head of State | Yakubu Gowon |
| Preceded by | Babafemi Ogundipe |
| Succeeded by | Olusegun Obasanjo |
| Chief of Naval Staff | |
| In office March 1964 – January 1973 | |
| Preceded by | Commodore A.R. Kennedy |
| Succeeded by | Rear Adm. N.B. Soroh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 March 1918 Calabar, Southern Region, British Nigeria (now Calabar, Cross River, Nigeria) |
| Died | 12 December 1991 (aged 73) Nigeria |
| Political party | None (military) |
| Spouse | Anne Wey |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Nigeria |
| Branch/service |  Nigerian Navy |
| Years of service | 1940-1975 |
| Rank |  Vice admiral |
| Battles/wars | Nigerian Civil War |
Early life
editBorn in Calabar in March 1918 to a Yoruba father who was from Lagos and an Efik mother, Wey had his early education in Calabar, Cross River State and at Methodist School, Ikot Ekpene in present Akwa Ibom State; and further education in Lagos.
Naval career
editHe joined the Marine Department as a cadet and engineer in training around 1940. At the end of his training in 1945, he served in all sea-going vessels in the Marine Department. When the Navy was established in 1956, he was transferred to the Navy as a sub-lieutenant. In 1962, he was appointed as the commanding officer of base and naval officer in charge of Apapa, Lagos. In 1966, he was appointed as the Federal Commissioner of Establishment and he became a member of the federal Executive Council. He was promoted to various ranks and to the final rank of vice-admiral.
Retirement and death
editHe was retired in 1975 following the successful coup that brought Murtala Mohammed[4] to power, replacing the military government of General Yakubu Gowon. He died 12 December 1991.[1]
Military ranks
edit| Year | Insignia | Military rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 
|
Marine engineer |
| 1956 | 
|
Sub-lieutenant and engineer |
| 1958 | 
|
Lieutenant |
| 1960 | 
|
Lieutenant commander |
| 1963 | 
|
Captain |
| 1964 |  
|
Commodore |
| 1967 |  
|
Rear admiral |
| 1971 | 
|
Vice admiral |
References
edit- ^ a b Aginam, Arthur-Martins (December 1991). "For Whom The Bell Tolls - Nigeria's first naval chief dies at 73". African Concord.
- ^ Siollun, Max. "Aburi: The "Sovereign National Conference" That Got Away". Gamji. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
- ^ "An Attentive Listener". Time. Time Warner. 1970-03-02. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
- ^ a b Mohammed, Murtala. "Murtala Muhammed's First Address to Nigeria". Nigeriavillagesquare.com. Nigerian Village Square. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
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