Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey

Vice Admiral Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey
2nd Vice President of Nigeria
In office
July 29, 1966 – July 29, 1975
President Yakubu Gowon
Preceded by Babafemi Ogundipe
Succeeded by Olusegun Obasanjo
Personal details
Nationality Nigerian
Political party None (military)

Vice Admiral Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey was a Nigerian naval officer who served, at various times, as head of the Nigerian Navy,[1] acting Foreign Minister,[2] and Chief of Staff of the Supreme Headquarters,[3] making him the de facto Vice President of Nigeria during Yakubu Gowon's regime.

Born in Calabar in March 1918 to a Yoruba father and an Ibibio/Efik mother, 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.

His military ranks were:

He was retired in 1975 following the successful coup that brought Murtala Mohammed [3] to power, replacing the military government of General Yakubu Gowon. He died 12 December 1990.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Siollun, Max. "Aburi: The "Sovereign National Conference" That Got Away". Gamji. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
  2. ↑ "An Attentive Listener". Time. Time Warner. 1970-03-02. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Mohammed, Murtala. "Murtala Muhammed's First Address to Nigeria". Nigeriavillagesquare.com. Nigerian Village Square. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
  4. ↑ "Nigerian Navy Golden Jubilee". Nigerian Navy. Retrieved 2007-07-06.