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Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by gidgiddy: 12:54pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Below are the names and picture of the first 30 officers of the Nigerian Army. But what happend to these 30 men? Where are they now 60 years on? I will answer that question in batches of 10 starting with ones sitting down. Date: June, 1959 Left to right sitting: Captain Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, Captain Philip Effiong, Captain Umeh Ogere Imo, Major Samuel Adesoji Ademulegun, Major Wellington Bassey, Major General Norman Forster (GOC, Nigerian Army), Major Aguiyi Ironsi, Major Ralph Adetunji Shodeinde, Captain Zakaria Maimalari, Captain Conrad Nwawo, Captain David Akpode Ejoor. 2nd Row Standing: Lt Igboba, Lt George Remunoiyowun Kurubo, (non Nigerian standing next to Kurubo), Lt J Akahan Akaga, Lt Patrick Awunah, Lt Louis Ogbonnia, Lt Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Lt Eyo Ekpo, Lt Author Unegbe, Lt Abogo Largema. 3rd Row Standing: Lt Hillary Mbilitem Njoku, 2nd Lt Macauley Nzefili, 2nd Lt David Ogunewe, 2nd Lt Shadrack, Lt Alexander Madiebo, 2nd Lt Anthony Eze, Lt Yakubu Gowon, 2nd Lt Sylvanus Nwanjei, Lt Yakubu Pam, 2nd Lt Hassan Katsina.
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Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by gidgiddy: 12:55pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Wellington Bassey He joined the Army in 1936 and rose to the position of NCO. He was selected to go on a short service officers course in England in 1949. On his return, he became the first commissioned officer with the Army number N1. Bassey held several positions in the Nigerian Army such as commander of the Nigerian Military Training School, Zaria. Ironsi appointed him commander of the 1st Division, Kaduna, after the death of Ademulegun. After Gowon came to power, he was allowed to retire to his hometown Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi A native of Ndume, in Ibeku in present day Abia state. Ironsi also rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Army and became an NCO. On Wellington Bassey's return from Army officers course in England, Ironsi and another NCO called Ademulegun were sent to England for the same course. On their return, Ironsi became the second Nigerian to become a commissioned officer with Army number N2. Ironsi led the Nigerian military expedition to the Congo in 1960. He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1964. In 1965, Ironsi became the first Nigerian to attain the rank of Major General and was appointed the first indigenous GOC of the Nigerian Army. In January 1966, a bloody military coup by mid level officers was put down by Ironsi who then assumed power. 6 Months later, Northern elements of the Nigerian Army staged a military coup in which Ironsi was killed. Adesoji Ademulegun He and Ironsi were sent for short officers course in 1949 and on their return, Ademulegun was given the Army number N3 making him the third officer of the Nigerian Army. In 1964 both Ademulegun and Ironsi were promoted to Brigadier General and a rivalry began between both men on who would become the first indigenous GOC of the Nigerian Army to replace the departing British GOC, General Christopher Welby-Everard. Ironsi was later appointed to that position while Ademulegun was appointed as GOC of the 1st Division Kaduna. Ademulegun was killed in Kaduna during the January 1966 coup. Ralph Shodeinde He was NCO who was sent on officers course in 1950. He has the Army number N4. Shodeinde was Deputy GOC to Ademulegun in Kaduna. He too was killed during the January 1966 coup. Zakari Maimalari He was actually the first officer of the Nigerian Army to attend secondary School. He attended Barewa college, which was at the time the only college in the entire North. From Barewa college, Maimalari was recruited into the Nigerian Army and sent to Regular Officers Training School, Teshie Ghana(ROST). From ROST, Maimalari went to Eaton Hall cadet course, Chester, England then proceeded to the prestigious Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He returned to Nigeria in 1953 and was commissioned a second Lieutenant with the Army number N5. Maimalari was promoted to Brigadier in 1964 and was appointed commander of the second Brigade, Lagos. He was killed during the coup of January 1966. His son, Lt Col Abubakar Maimalari, would later become Military Governor of Jigawa State. Ume Imo like Bassey, Ironsi, Ademulegun and Shodeinde, Imo rose through the rank to become an NCO and was sent on short service officers course to Chester, England. He was promoted to Captain in 1958, Major in 1960 and Lieutenant Colonel in 1964. He was deputy Commander of the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna in 1966 when the July coup of that year happend. As Northern Soldiers searched for Igbo officers to kill, Imo managed to smuggle him self back to the East. He was promoted to Brigadier in 1967. When Ojukwu declared Biafra on May 30th 1967, Brigadier Imo was appointed the Biafran minister of environment and resources. He held that position until the end of the war the retired to private life. He is now late. |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by gidgiddy: 12:59pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Conrad Nwawo Conrad Chukwukadibia Nwawo was born in 1922 in Onisha-Olona in pesent day Delta State. He had his education at Aggrey Memorial School, Arochukwu and and Ilesha Grammar School. He went for further training at the School of Agriculture before working as an assistant Agriculture officer in Ibadan. In 1950, nwawo resigned and joined what was then known as the West African Fronteer force. He was sent on Officer training in Ghana and later, Eaton Hall Officer Cadet School. Nwawo was commissioned an officer of the Nigerian Army in 1953 with the Army number N10. Nwawo was sent on international military postings to Germany, England and The Congo. In the Congo, nwawo along with F.A Fajuyi were awarded the prestigious Military Cross for bravery. nwawo was promoted to Lt Colonel in 1965 and posted to London as Military attache. It was while in London that the first coup happened. With Nzeogwu in firm control of the North and threatening to march down to Lagos, Ironsi reached out to Nwawo. Nwawo had taught Nzeogwu military tactics at NMTC Kaduna and both men were close. Both men were also Midwest Igbos. Nwawo flew down to Lagos then to Kaduna where he convinced Nzeogwu to give himself up and both men returned to Lagos. Nwawo brought to a peaceful end what might have been a bloody military confrontation. When the war broke out, Nwawo, like many Midwest Igbos of the time, chose to fight for their kith and kin in Biafra. Ojukwu made him commandet of the Biafran 11th Division. He also later commanded the Biafran Armies 13th Division and saw action in Onitsha, Abagana and Umuahia sectors of the war. He was later appointed chief administrative officer, Biafran Army Headquarters. After the war, Nwawo was detained but later released in 1974 after which he retired to private life. He died in his native Onicha-Olona in 2016 aged 93. He has a yet to be published book on his war time experiences called "As I Saw It" Philip Effiong: Philip Effiong enlisted into the Nigerian Army in Enugu in 1945 as a lowly recruit. He rose through the rank to become an NCO and like others before him such as Ironsi, he was chosen to go on short service officers course in Chester, England. He was commissioned an officer in January 1956 with the Army number N14. Philip Effiong was head of the Nigerian Army ordinance corps in Lagos when the coup of January 1966 occured. When Ironsi came to power, he appointed Brigadier Ogundipe Chief of General Staff and Ogundipe took Effiong as his chief of staff. Effiong was later posted to Kaduna as deputy commander of of the 1st Division. He was in that position when the July coup occured. While Northern Soldiers were looking for Eastern Soldiers to kill, Effiong managed to disguise him self and escape to Lagos. On getting to Lagos, Effiong realised that things were still dangerous their so he escaped to Enugu in the booth of a car. When Ojukwu declared Biafra, Effiong was appointed Deputy Head of State Of Biafra. In January 1970, Ojukwu handed over to Philip Effiong and flew into exile. Philip Effiong negotiated a ceasefire with the Nigerian forces and later announced Biafra's surrender. He was the last president of Biafra. Philip Effiong died in 2003 at the age of 78. David Ejoor He attended Government Secondary School Ughelli and was selected to go on Army officers course in 1953. Ejoor was the first civilian ever recruited into the officer corps Nigeran Army, all others before him were serving officers. He attended ROST, Chester and the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He returned to Nigeria in February 1956 and was commissioned an officer with the number N17. Ejoor was commander of the Army Garrison in Enugu when the first coup of January 1966 occured, he narrowly escaped being killed. Ironsi subsequently appointed him military Governor of the Midwest Region. He was in this position when the Biafran Army invaded Benin city and surrounded Government House while he was still inside the building. Again, he narrowly escaped and made his way to Lagos on a Bicycle. Ejoor became Chief Of Army Staff in 1972 and retired in that position in 1975. Ejoor died in January of this year aged 87. Robert Adeyinka Adebayo After completing his secondary education at Eko Boys High School in 1950, Adeyinka Adebayo joined the Nigerian Army as a non commissioned signal officer. He was selected to go on officers training at Camberley, England, and was commissioned an officer on his return to Nigeria in 1953. Adebayo had just left for a 6 months officers course in Britain when the first coup of January 1966 occured, he was returning to Nigeria when the second coup of July 29th happend. Gowon appointed him Military Governor of the Western Region following the death of Lt Colonel Fajuyi. In 1972 he became commander of the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was summarily retired in 1975 following the Murtala Mohammed coup. He later joined politics and was one of the founders of the NPN party. His son, Niyi Adebayo would later become Governor of Ekiti state. Adebayo died in March 2017 at the age of 90. |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by dawnomike(m): 1:09pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Killed! Killed!! Killed!!! All for what? All for Control of power!!! What suprises me the most is that most of these men that killed each other were once friends...E.g Gen. Pam vs Gen Babangida |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by RichDad1(m): 1:10pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Interesting. |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by thundafire: 1:13pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Waiting |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by Racoon(m): 1:15pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Correction OP; Lt.Louis Ugboma(Native of Anambra State) is the very first Nigerian to be commissioned into the army but he was said to have left before this generation came up. This is the best generation of refined Nigerian Army officers bequeathed to us by the British based on academic merit before they later allowed the Sarduna to introduced the defective and unmerited "quota system" that give rise to the man Nigeria has today as president. Some of the officers of the quota system clique include; late Maj.Gen.Martin Adamu, Gen.Sanni Abacha, Lt.Col.Bukar Sukar Dimka, Lt.Col.James Pam etc.Read "NIGERIAN FIVE MAJORS"-Ben Gbulie then you will appreciate how the Nigerian military remained bastardized till date. 4 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by labisibrass(m): 1:21pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Ejoor Hall |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by Perkins2018: 1:58pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Racoon: You guys will never disappoint with your hatred. When was quota system introduced in Nigeria and by who? 4 Likes |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by Racoon(m): 2:40pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Perkins2018:So all the nepotism as documented in the then pre-independence Nigeria and now are new to you? |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by Perkins2018: 3:01pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Racoon: You mean the one instituted by azikiwe? 1 Like |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by helinues: 4:11pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Tribalistic posts as usual |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by Gidigidi60: 4:51pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
[s] helinues:[/s] |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by Nobody: 5:22pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
I wish I was born then. This our own generation na rubbish. Everybody just wan buy car. Where we even dey drive the car go sef? Mtcheew very useless time to be alive 2 Likes |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by MetaPhysical: 5:53pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
gidgiddy, good thread! Stay away from bigotry and continue to do good works like this. Kudos! 1 Like |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by joshjc(m): 6:13pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Very educative keep it up |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by Dedetwo(m): 6:46pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
gidgiddy: The picture missed at least two officers: Captains Francis Fajuiyi and Rudolph Trimnell. |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by Sankabson(m): 6:48pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Interesting piece!! We want educative posts like this on Nairaland. Not snake ans tonto. 3 Likes |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by Dedetwo(m): 6:51pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
gidgiddy: One reason among many reasons January 15, 1966 was precipitated. This was the height of corruption, nepotistic endeavor that saw him from a second Lieutenant to brigadier in the space of 10 years. |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by Burchester: 7:01pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Wow |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by APOPTOSIS: 7:46pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Is GOWON the only one ALIVE..?? |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by kolaaderin: 8:03pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
Agunyi Irosi, destroyed this country by that coup. We will never forget. |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by joyandfaith: 8:46pm On Dec 02, 2019 |
we got independent at wrong time. Britain could have stayed till year 2000. Those that fought for Nigeria independent were greedy for power and lack foresight. they were local champions who thought about themselves. |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by itsme01: 12:57am On Dec 03, 2019 |
![]() Its funny how the Ibo coupist killed The top Yoruba Military Officers and that of the North and expected no retaliation they are also responsible for killing all our political leaders like Akintola, Sarduna, Tafa Balewa . 3 Likes |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by WATCHOVER(m): 4:22am On Dec 03, 2019 |
joyandfaith:People who fought for independence are not the problem, but the anger from the British by handing over power to the "Emirates " who are illiterates, but have access to "Nigeria Armoury" so that they can continue their colonialism indirectly. Awolowo, Enahoro etc., should not be blamed here. The bitter truth is that British where not happy leaving Nigeria, hence never wanted us to rise to our full potential. The saddest thing is that our present democratic leaders and politicians still dance and romance with them. 1 Like |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by MaigidaGworo: 5:49am On Dec 03, 2019 |
[s] itsme01:[/s] |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by joyandfaith: 6:28am On Dec 03, 2019 |
WATCHOVER: yes they were not happy because they knew we were not ready. |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by WATCHOVER(m): 3:52pm On Dec 03, 2019 |
joyandfaith:I wouldn't want us to argue more on this issue the British handed Nigeria to miscreants |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by BlackfireX: 5:23pm On Dec 03, 2019 |
Wow... |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by T9ksy(m): 7:24pm On Dec 03, 2019 |
itsme01: That's ibo logic 110 there for you. After killing our top military officers and politicians (whilst sparing their 's), they then impose unity govt on us. That's the ibo man at Doran barracks will now be looking after future development. Very clever chaps..................but only by halves. And they wondered why the north pogromised their sorry lil' a.r.ses Or why the "black scorpion" shot at every moving objects in their villages including stationary objects as well. |
Re: Update: "The First 30 Officers Of The Nigerian Army" Where Are They Now? by itsme01: 7:25pm On Dec 03, 2019 |
T9ksy: they still have this same mindset till date lol ![]() |
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