By Akintunde Areo, Kaduna Chief Correspondent
One of the brightest military officers Nigeria ever produced, Gen. Yohanna Yerima Kure has passed away.
On November 2, 2023, Kure, a civil war hero was announced dead, few weeks after returning from abroad, where he sought medical attention for undisclosed ailment.
His death was confirmed to our correspondent in Kaduna by two of his siblings, Kure Simon Dauda and Siarnom Jemimah Kure.
Speaking with our correspondent, another member of the family, who pleaded anonymity, said, “Gen. Kure was suffering from amnesia before he was flown abroad for medical treatment. He died a few weeks after returning to Nigeria.”
Late Kure’s military resume can be described as very robust and accomplished.
He became a Lt Col in 1974. Much later in his career. He later served as GOC 82 Div Enugu between 1978 and 1983. In 1985, he became the GOC 2 Div Ibadan and a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) under the military regime headed by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. He was thereafter appointed as Minister of Sports
Late Kure was born into the Royal family of Mallam and Mallama Ladi Kure on 22 April 1939 in Kurmin Musa, Kachia LGA, Kaduna State. He attended Missionary Schools in Kwoi and Kagoro for elementary education before gaining admission into Govt Secondary School Zaria popularly known as Alhudahuda.
Young Kure enlisted into the Nigerian Army through the prestigious Nigerian Military Training College (now NDA) in 1963 and was commissioned as an officer of AFN in 1964. Since then he had an impressive career profile.
His first foray was in Protsea Australia for further Cadet Development Course 1964, Command and Staff College Jaji and numerous local and International officers training culminating in the Strategic College, NIPPS that trained the likes of Gen IBB, his bosom friend.
