Nigerian Leaders since Independence: General Yakubu Gowon (1934)

General Yakubu Gowon was the Head of State (Head of the Federal Military Government) of Nigeria from August 1966 to October 1975. He took power after one military coup d'état and was overthrown in another. During his rule, the Nigerian government successfully prevented Biafran secession during the 1967–1970 Nigerian Civil War.

Early life
Gowon is an indigene of Lur, a small village in the present Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State. His parents, Nde Yohanna and Matwok Kurnyang, left for Wusasa, Zaria as Church Missionary Society (CMS) missionaries in the early days of Gowon's life. Gowon was the fifth of eleven children. He grew up in Zaria and had his early life and education there.

Nigerian Leaders since Independence: General Aguiyi Ironsi (1924-1966)

Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi (March 3, 1924, Umuahia - July 29, 1966, Lalupon, Oyo State) was Nigeria’s Head of State for only six months. He was in office from January 16, 1966 until he was overthrown and killed on July 29, 1966 by a group of northern army officers who revolted against the government.

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Early life
He 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.