In 1953, the Nigeria Army decided to start recruiting civilians in the officer corps. Before then, the Army only recruited officers from the ranks of enlisted soldiers. After a nationwide Army examination and selection process, 3 men chosen to become officers, 2 civilians and one serving soldier. They were, David Ejoor, Victor Banjo (civilians) and F.Fajuyi (Soldier). Because Fajuyi was already a serving soldier, he went through a different training process while Banjo and Ejoor went for officer training in Ghana and later, the prestigious "Royal military Academy Sandhurst". Banjo and Ejoor became the first civilians to commissioned as Army officers when they graduated from Sandhurst in 1955. Banjo was later arrested for possible complicity in the Nzeogwu coup and clamped in jail. On the declaration of Biafra, Ojukwu released Banjo and promoted him to a Brigadier in the Biafra Army and given the task of capturing Lagos. Subsequently, Banjo was accused of plotting to overthrow Ojukwu, tried and executed. Ejoor later rose to the rank of Major General and chief of Army staff. Below is their picture on their first day in the Army in November 1955.

Looking good

so?

urhobo wadoooo

Yoruba wadoo

Men have come and gone...the earth remains. Don't forget this in all you do.

Okay o