HERO SERIES: Olorogun Lt. General David Akpode Ejoor (rtd) GCON, OFR
According to Ejoor’s account of that day, when he entered the battalion HQ office, he saluted the GOC. As Ironsi turned around and saw it was Ejoor, he quickly drew his service pistol. Ejoor was stunned at Ironsi’s response to his cordial salute.
“Ha, David, are you with me or against me?” the GOC said.
Ejoor replied, “You are my commanding officer, whatever it is, I am with you.”
EARLY LIFE
Major-General David Akpode Ejoor (OFR, GCON) was born on January 10, 1932 in Ovu, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. An Urhobo by ethnicity from Ovwor-Olomu. David Ejoor attended Ovu CMS School 1939, Baptist School Ovu 1940, Native Administration School Orerokpe 1946–47; Government College Ughelli (GCU) 1948 -1952. Ejoor was outstanding at GCU where he won a scholarship.
After college, He didn’t have the money to pursue university education, so his school principal gave him a letter to the Comptroller of Customs in Warri. When the Comptroller read it, he said “your principal said I should give you a job”. He asked him: “When are you starting?” to which young Ejoor replied: Now!
ENTRY INTO THE ARMY
After a brief stint with the Nigeria Customs Service, he took the entrance examination to join the army and was successful.
1953–54 He proceeded to Teshie, Ghana for initial training at the Regular Officers Training School. After six months, he was selected to go to England to do the Officers Cadet Training at Eaton Hall, Chester UK 1954, and at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst UK 1955–56 where he was commissioned by the Queen.
He returned to Nigeria on the 2nd January 1957 as a Lieutenant. Serving in Kaduna and Ibadan between 1957 and 1959, the responsibility for securing Nigeria’s border with Cameroon fell on him. He commanded the Army Guard at the historical event of Nigeria’s independence in 1960. He also served on the United Nations Peace Keeping force in the Congo from December 1960 to July 1961 following which he was promoted to the rank of Major.
MILITARY CAREER
The turning point in Ejoor’s careers occurred on 15th January 1966 when the first military coup swept away the first post-independence government. Ejoor, then a Lieutenant Colonel and Commander of the Army Battalion in Enugu, was the 1st in the offensive that foiled that coup and saved the life of Dr Michael Okpara, the Premier of the Eastern region. He was appointed as the Military Governor of the then Midwest region, which made him a member of the Supreme Military Council (SMC).
Below is a brief narration of his experience in his own words:
“As we approached the junction of the road that led into the Ikeja GRA and the Airport Road, I saw three artillery trucks approaching us. I immediately sensed that this was what Major Igboba had talked about. I felt cornered as I had no way of knowing how these troops would react to me; whether they would take me as a foe or a friend. I did some quick thinking and decided to put the troop at some psychological disadvantage.
Accordingly, I stood in the middle of the road and held up my hand indicating to them to stop. As the lead vehicle got close and stopped, I snapped at the troops, asking why they took so long to arrive, thereby slowing down our operations. The trick worked.
They straightaway went on the defensive, explaining that they had some problems with tyres and fuel. I accepted their explanations and warned them that they were to be no more delays. “Go straight to Ikeja Cantonment and get your next orders,” I said and proceeded to lead them to the barracks as the traffic cleared for the military trucks. When we got to the battalion headquarters, I gave orders that all the troops escorted there be immediately disarmed and arrested. While this was being done, I resumed my journey to the Airport. Thus, by sheer accident, I was involved with the first major arrest of those involved in the coup of 15th January 1966.”
- Lt. Col David Ejoor
He hardly settled into his new role when a counter-coup of July 1966 broke out. This coup led by Northern soldiers led to the death of many officers from the then Eastern region. Soon the tension from the coup degenerated into a Civil War.
He was a consistence voice of moderation and peace. Before and during the early period of the war, Ejoor was the only proponent of one Nigeria among the then four Regional Governors.
As the Governor of the Midwest region which had a significant Igbo population, his military colleagues in the Midwest region (except for two) were all Igbo. So, there was a conspiracy to get rid of him. Help from the Federal Army was not forthcoming, and the invading rebel forces overran his base in Benin. He survived three assassination attempts.
Foreshadowing that his capture in Benin will lead to the death of many innocents, Ejoor disguised as a priest and rode a bicycle all the way from Benin, Edo State to Ebor-Orogun, Delta State. From which he made contact and maneuvered to the Federal Military HQ in Lagos.
In 1968 he assumed duties as the first Nigerian Commandant of the Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna. After the war he became a General in 1971 and in the same year achieve the military equivalent of a PhD from the Royal College of Defense Studies in the United Kingdom. He reached the apex of military career when he was appointed as Chief of Army Staff in January 1972.
Below is a brief list of his achievements:
MILITARY/HONORARY TITLES:
1. GCON — GRAND COMMANDER OF NIGERIA, FOR SAVING NIGERIA, 1967
2. OFR — OFFICER OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
3. RCDS-ROYAL COLLEGE OF DEFENSE STUDIES -UK
4. PSC-PASS STAFF COLLEGE
5. HON.LLD (Doctor) — UNIBEN
6. Ag. President, Urhobo Progressive Union (1998–1999)
He has received many chieftaincy titles, National and International Honours:
CHIEFTAINCY TITLES:
1. Olorogun — Uloho of Olomou Kingdom
2. Onotuku of Ebor- Orogun Kingdom
3. Orhuerakpo of Ughelli Kingdom
4. Okakuro — Egbe of Agbon Kingdom
5. Okakuro of Ovu Kingdom
MEDALS:
1. Congo Medal — CM
2. Independence Medal — IM
3. Republic Medal — RM
4. Defense Service Medal — DSM
5. General Service Medal — GSM
6. National Service Medal — NSM
FOREIGN HONORS:
1. Grand Commander — Republic of Togo
2. Order of the Two Niles — 1st Class Sudan
3. Grand Officer (O.N.) — Du Lion Senegal
4. Kt. Order of the Crown — Belgium — OOC (SIR)
Lt. General David Ejoor was an officer whose loyalty to Nigeria was unquestionable. A General’s General, A true Nigerian, and a fine Gentleman.
May his soul rest in perfect peace . Amen.
