Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey

Vice Admiral Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey (March 6, 1918 – December 12, 1991)[1] was a Vice Admiral of the Nigerian Navy who served, at various times, 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.

Vice Admiral

Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey
2nd Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters
In office
July 29, 1966 – July 29, 1975
Head of StateYakubu Gowon
Preceded byBabafemi Ogundipe
Succeeded byOlusegun Obasanjo
Chief of Naval Staff
In office
1964–1973
Preceded byCommodore A.R. Kennedy
Succeeded byVice Adm. N.B. Soroh
Personal details
Born(1918-03-06)March 6, 1918
DiedDecember 25, 1991(1991-12-25) (aged 73)
Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Political partyNone (military)
Military service
Allegiance Nigeria
Branch/service Nigerian Navy
Years of service1940-1975
RankVice Admiral
Battles/warsNigerian Civil War

Early life

Born in Calabar in March 1918 to a Yoruba Mother who was from Lagos and an Efik Father, Admiral 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.

He 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

He 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
Year 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
  1. Aginam, Arthur-Martins (December 1991). "For Whom The Bell Tolls - Nigeria's first naval chief dies at 73". African Concord.
  2. Siollun, Max. "Aburi: The "Sovereign National Conference" That Got Away". Gamji. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
  3. "An Attentive Listener". Time. Time Warner. 1970-03-02. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
  4. Mohammed, Murtala. "Murtala Muhammed's First Address to Nigeria". Nigeriavillagesquare.com. Nigerian Village Square. Retrieved 2007-06-16.


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