₦airaland Forum

In 1967, the then Head of State, Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon, inspected the first Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Passing Out Parade. Behind him stood the pioneer Commandant of the Academy, Brig. Varma (An Indian) in the second picture.

On his left was Cadet Salihu Ibrahim, who commanded the parade and was the best graduating cadet of Regular Course 1. Salihu Ibrahim later rose to the position of the Chief of Army Staff in the Nigerian Army before his retirement.

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Course 1, which passed out in 1967, had an initial class of only 62 cadets. The NDA was established in 1964 to train officers for the Nigerian Armed Forces. The first regular course consisted of cadets who underwent a three-year training program.

A complete, definitive list of all 62 cadets is not publicly available in a single official online document, but several prominent members became high-ranking officers in the Nigerian military.

Among the other members of Regular Course 1 were Cadets Oladipo Diya, Mamman Kontagora, Joshua Dogonyaro, Muhammed Aliyu Gusau, Allison Madueke, Paul Osa Ogbebor(the first to be registered as a cadet),
BTS Kachim, Muhammed Bello Khaliel, PA Arokoyo, OI William, M. Dahiru,
Late Major Alfred Wahuniyi Shellmishili

Notable alumni of the NDA Course 1 include:
-Salihu Ibrahim: Who commanded the first Passing Out Parade( POP) and was the best graduating cadet of the pioneer cadet intake @ the NDA. He later became the Chief of Army Staff.

-Oladipo Diya: Later became a Lieutenant General and Chief of General Staff.

-Mamman Kontagora: Went on to have a notable military career.

-Joshua Dogonyaro: Became a prominent General in the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps.

-Muhammed Aliyu Gusau: Rose to the rank of Lieutenant General and served as National Security Adviser multiple times in Obasanjo and Jonathan's governments.

-Allison Madueke: Served as a Commodore in the Navy and was a former military governor of old Anambra State.

These individuals were among the pioneers who shaped Nigeria's military history after their training, which was initially overseen by Indian officers as the pioneer Commandant was Brigadier M.R. Varma.

-Picture 1: Head of State, Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon, inspecting the first Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) regular course in 1967. The event took place at the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna, Nigeria. The inspection was part of the first passing out parade for the pioneer cadets of the academy.

Then Lt Colonel Yakubu Chinwa Gowon as HOS taking the salute as the reviewing officer of the parade of the pioneer graduating NDA cadet class of 1967.

-Picture 2: Lt Colonel Yakubu Gowon with the best graduating and sword of honour recipient - Officer Cadet Salihu Ibrahim. With them is the then commandant of the Nigerian Defense Academy( NDA ) - Brigadier Varman( an Indian National).

-Picture 3: Lt Colonel Gowon conversing and interacting with some of the NDA course 1 graduating Cadets who will later shot into prominence in the politico-military landscape of Nigeria.

-Picture 4: The 1st Commandant of NDA Brig. Varma (right) and the Director of Studies Mallam Abu Egbunu (left) at the first Passing Out Parade in 1967.

Source: Facebook, NDA Website,

-Picture 3: General Yakubu Gowon Presenting the Sword of Honour to Officer Cadet Salisu Ibrahim( Best Graduating Cadet of the NDA Course - 1.

Richtaiwo:
Why are their hair bushy while some carry punk style?

Richtaiwo:
Salihu Ibrahim is in course 1, so which courses are IBB, Buhari, Abacha, and Abdulsalam? Because I know IBB and Buhari are senior to late General Salihu Ibrahim.

Richtaiwo:
Why are their hair bushy while some carry punk style?

Yakubu Gowon was a Lieutenant Colonel at the time, while the pioneer Commandant of the NDA, Varma, though an Indian officer, held the rank of Brigadier General. My findings indicate that a Brigadier General is superior to a Lieutenant Colonel.

This raises a question, why would an officer involved in whatsoever official activity in the country hold a rank superior to that of the Head of State? Because by right, the head of state will have to salute the commandant, being his superior.

Richtaiwo:
Salihu Ibrahim is in course 1, so which courses are IBB, Buhari, Abacha, and Abdulsalam? Because I know IBB and Buhari are senior to late General Salihu Ibrahim.

Racoon:
Late General Salihu Ibrahim seems to always be the first in most of his postings in the Nigerian Army. Then as a Major ( but later Lt Gen) S Ibrahim was the first Ex-boy Commissioned Officer to serve at NMS.

He was the chief instructor( CI ) Military in 1971. He later also become become the first Ex-boy Chief of Army Staff later in 1990s during the IBB/Abacha era. In the above photograph, he is seen with Military Wing Instructors.

I so much love this Lt General Salihu Ibrahim . The man is a gentle man officer to the core. Goes about with a gentle mien and soft spoken. Saw him repeated in Ikeja and Mokola barracks when he came visiting back then. God rest his soul.

bewla:
You are right and
African with ass liking

Racoon:
"Pictures of The Passing Out Parade( POP) of Course-1 NDA Graduating Cadets in 1967."

Richtaiwo:
Salihu Ibrahim is in course 1, so which courses are IBB, Buhari, Abacha, and Abdulsalam? Because I know IBB and Buhari are senior to late General Salihu Ibrahim.

Racoon:
I can spot;
-Officer Cadet Salihu Ibrahim.
-Officer Cadet Oladipo Diya.
-Officer Cadet Bello Khaliel(Behind Diya).
-Officer Cadet Aliyu Rabiu.
Who else can you spot from the picture?

Gotocourt:
Military Bandits were trained abroad

Magabush1:
Most senior officer of the course colonel Lawrence ogbebor was left out. Why?

markidoo:
Noticed tribal sentiments right from the word go,, Northern ARMY 🪖

Richtaiwo:
Salihu Ibrahim is in course 1, so which courses are IBB, Buhari, Abacha, and Abdulsalam? Because I know IBB and Buhari are senior to late General Salihu Ibrahim.

SadiqBabaSani:
Academy of indelible memories, Dere is only one academy

SadiqBabaSani:
Academy of indelible memories, Dere is only one academy

Racoon:
Late General Salihu Ibrahim seems to always be the first in most of his postings in the Nigerian Army. Then as a Major ( but later Lt Gen) S Ibrahim was the first Ex-boy Commissioned Officer to serve at NMS.

He was the chief instructor( CI ) Military in 1971. He later also become become the first Ex-boy Chief of Army Staff later in 1990s during the IBB/Abacha era. In the below photograph, he is seen with Military Wing Instructors.

I so much love this Lt General Salihu Ibrahim . The man is a gentle man officer to the core. Goes about with a gentle mien and soft spoken. Saw him repeated in Ikeja and Mokola barracks when he came visiting back then. God rest his soul.

Mhudi:
I was in Mokola barracks too in the 80's and early 90's with the 242 Recce battalion and later 244 Recce battalion that came from Enugu. 242 Recce battalion moved to Ikeja cantonment in 1987 and was replaced by 244 Recce battalion that came from Enugu. When did you live in Mokola barracks?

Racoon:
All you said was correct except I think 242 Recce Battalion moved to Iberoko Barrack Badagry. 244 Recce Battalion later moved and have been station in Saki Oyo State. Meanwhile Lived at Officer Quarters Top Camp area close to Headquarters 52 Signals Regiment. Nice meeting you sir.