…the Nigeria Military, circa June 1959
Sitting from Left to Right: Captain Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, Captain Philip Effiong, Captain Umeh Ogere Imo, Major Samuel Adesoji Ademulegun, Major Wellington Bassey, Major General Norman Foster (GOC, Nigerian Army), Major Johnson T. U. Aguiyi-Ironsi, Major Ralph Adetunji Shodeinde, Captain Zakariya Maimalari, Captain Conrad Nwawo, Captain David Akpode Ejoor.
Second Row Standing: Lieutenant Igboba, Lieutenant George Remu Kurubo, (Non-Nigerian officer standing next to Kurubo), Lieutenant Joseph Akahan, Lieutenant Patrick Anwunah, Lieutenant Louis Ogbonnaya, Lieutenant Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Lieutenant Eyo Ekpo, Lieutenant Arthur Unegbe, Lieutenant Abogo Largema.
Third Row Standing: Lieutenant Hilary Mbilitem Njoku, Second Lieutenant Macauley Nzefili, Second Lieutenant David Ogunewe, Second Lieutenant Shadrack, Lieutenant Alexander Madiebo, Second Lieutenant Anthony Eze, Lieutenant Yakubu Gowon, Second Lieutenant Sylvanus Nwanjoku, Lieutenant Yakubu Pam, Second Lieutenant Hassan Katsina.
Lieutenant Wellington Bassey was the first Nigerian to be commissioned into the army, receiving Army Number N/1 on April 30, 1949.
Two months later, on June 12, 1949, Lieutenant Johnson T. U. Aguiyi-Ironsi was commissioned with Army Number N/2. Lieutenant Samuel A. Ademulegun was also commissioned on June 12, 1949, with Army Number N/3. Lieutenant Ralph Adetunji Shodeinde (N/4) was commissioned shortly thereafter.
Not present in the photograph are Captain Kur Mohammed, Lieutenant Victor Banjo, Lieutenant Michael Okwechime, Lieutenant Francis Fajuyi, and Lieutenant Rudolph Trimnell.
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