Reminiscences, as famous NDA 37RC bows out
Some have called them the class of many firsts and others have described them as the pillars of innovations in the Nigerian Armed Forces. Though members of the 37 Regular Course, Nigerian Defence Academy voluntarily retired from service following the appointment of their juniors as service chiefs; Precious Igbonwelundu reports that their legacies, dedication and patriotism will continue to resonate.
They played with the tiger’s tail, the lion’s ears; poked the Jaguar’s eyes and even bit the eagle’s claws. They criss-crossed the desert, navigated the mangroves of Bonny, Etioke and the mountains of Mandara without fail.
A journey that commenced 34 years ago with 200 youngsters saw some summarily dismissed, others wounded in battle and yet another sent home three times but returned each time after being found innocent of all accusations.
From the Forest of River Cess; plantations of Firestone; slippery roads of Robertsport and windy highlands of Turbmangberg, Swen, Bo waterside; Tine to Gbanga, Voinjama, Saw Mill, Kalahun and Kockry, members of 37 Regular Course, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) scaled through each task to the glory of God.
Creeping from Star Base to Freeport Junction through Battery Factory, Charlotte City to Garnesville junction with the Guerrillas dashing through the swamp to Coca-Cola junction; the diehards went head-on to red-light, wheeled to Mount Barkley through Chinese Farm, VOA 2 to 15 gate…
“It was at this dare devil’s gate I recall the bald headed Akigbe beckoned me: “FC pickin, come and see the job we are doing”- a ditch full of the dead and babies wailing in the pool of blood of their dead parents, uncertain where they were or when they will be answered,” reminisced one of the officers, Maj Gen Moundhey Gadzama Ali, pioneer Commandant, Nigerian Army Special Forces School, after 34 years of active military service.
Like many of his course mates, Ali considered each deployment a selfless and national duty. He remains one of the military officers who in the course of his career was dismissed twice, sent to ASCON and recalled after each situation for being innocent of all allegations.
Renowned for producing 100 generals, including a Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Farouk Yahaya (rtd.); two Commandants of Special Forces School, NASI Jaji; over 20 General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Flag Officers Commanding (FOCs), and Air Officers Commanding (AOCs); three Commandants of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi; a Commandant of NDA; one Director-General (DG) of Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON, the 37RC was also the first direct course to be awarded degree at the NDA.
The course also had a Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC); Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI); Chief of Defence Space Agency (CDSA); Military, Naval and Air Secretaries, among other sensitive operational and strategic commands, departments and unit’s heads.
It goes without a doubt that officers of this course left indelible footprints throughout their service year. It was they who championed the cause of indigenous manufacturing of military hardwares. From reconfiguring HOWO and normal tippers to military war fighting trucks, building of conquerors, to the production of Ezegwu MRAPS, the 37RC also made history as the only course that produced a historian who manufactured real fighting vehicles, local shipbuilding efforts, in-country Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) of some war planes and locally sourcing needed materials to keep military equipment functioning and by so doing, saving the country huge capital flight in foreign exchange.
In a recent chat with The Nation, Gen. Ali, who was pioneer Commander, Nigerian Army Special Forces Command, 4 Special Forces Command, who led several clearance operations in Operation Lafiya Dole, recalled how he broke his legs twice, was court-marshalled, and retired on three different occasions for volunteering information on Liberia’s weapon dumps and observing training in civil dress and slippers at NATRAC as well as administrative mismanagement in the Theatre.
His being relieved from service in Liberia during that country’s civil war almost cost him his life, especially the betrayals from colleagues and bumpy traps placed on the way to take him out.
Ali said: “I was retired three times, broke my legs twice and was court marshalled for volunteering information on National Patrotic Front of Liberia’s (NPFL) weapon dumps. But when our Rapid Response Team led by one Major Eregbu went for the search that day, they saw only weapons hidden at the centre of a football field (kickoff spot) and in the ceiling of rebels place of abode but didn’t see these in the scooped anthill.
“So the Intelligence Officer, Lt BA Alabi now GOC 1 Division, came to pick me to show them the anthill.
“On getting to the search area based on my information, I took them to the anthill. Unfortunately, the weapons were relocated. I met the arrested Lt.-Gen. Isaac, Commander of the NPFL and accosted him.
“He confessed that one of the Brigade Commanders relocated his weapons that were in the anthill to a village where he was processing palm oil. Coincidentally, I knew the village because I was tasked with Capt. F. C. Amadi the previous day to go to NPFL General Koko Denis’ base close to Gbanga for collection of surrendered mines, explosives and weapons.
“I opted to go and I sat with troops at the back of the truck to enable Maj Ereogbu, the Operation Commander and Lt B.A. Alabi, the Intelligence Officer, to sit in front of the truck. As the truck pulled off, I saw Ereogbu sitting by the other arrested rebel. I stopped the truck and told him, I left the front seat for him.
“He retorted that with the revelation I brought, the troops will kill the other rebels if he left, so, I should lead the general for the arrest of the Brigade Commander. We got to the first village and we were told he was in the next village. On getting to the next village, the Brigade Commander appeared and Gen. Isaac, who led us, asked for permission to ease himself. I tactically followed him, pretending to see the graveyard where he squatted to defecate.
“Suddenly despite standing barely half meter to him, he disappeared leaving his slippers and faeces by me. It was later I learnt they had a charm in which when one is in trouble, he mentioned the other party and once their eyes met, the culprit vanished.”
On return to the rebel’s camp, Gen. Ali later found out that a lieutenant, Adenekon, had told Major Ereogbu that the rebel leader, Isaac, promised him a new generator if he allowed him escape.
“Unfortunately, Adenekon, my course-mate didn’t warn me before I took the general in search of his Brigade Commander, holder of the missing rifles hidden in the anthill.
“Immediately, Maj Ereogbu called the attention of all the officers (Capt P.B. Fakrogha, Lt Adenekan, Lt B.A. Alabi (now GOC 1 Div) and Lt G.M. Mutkut (GOC 8 Div) and declared he was going to charge me for he was aware I collected the Generator offer to release Gen Isaac of NPFL.
“Before now, I gave Alamba the 7 ECOMOG Brigade Intelligence Commander information on 1,300 arms matted and hung in Buchanan- Cestos road’s forest and then Capt O.O. Kolajo was tasked to recover them. I also gave information on weapons buried in rubber drums at the Liberian Agricultural College (LAC) and it was found as I gave it until this episode.
“It was the charge that landed me in Court Marshal that led to my first wrongful dismissal…” He narrated.
Another member of the 37RC and immediate past Commandant, NAFRC, Oshodi, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Charles Ohwo (rtd), who was pulled out of service amid fanfare on Tuesday, said he was grateful to have had an unblemished career.
The senior officer, who held several appointments in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) before his posting to NAFRC as Commandant in January, also listed some of the milestone achievements and innovations he introduced in the service.
As the first indigenous combat pilot, AVM Ohwo, from available information, trained many combat helicopter pilots of the NAF, many of whom were part of the air components in various theatres of operation across the country.
“As I transition into the next phase of my life, I carry with me a deep sense of pride and gratitude for the opportunity to have served our great nation. On a personal note, in January 2023, when I was appointed as the 39th Commandant of NAFRC, I recall that I stated amongst other things that: “I will harness the available human and infrastructural capital to transform NAFRC into a world-class centre of excellence with international best practices in vocational training. The centre has continued to explore ways and means to enhance its process of teaching and learning to produce better citizens for the development of a greater nation.
“In retrospect, and with a great sense of humility, I wish to say that we have matched our words with actions, as evident in the past five and half months in-spite of the numerous and obvious challenges.
“These principles and foundational truths were a culmination of my life and service experiences for the past 38 years.
“From Cadetship up to Generalship, I served with diverse senior officers, colleagues, junior officers, senior Non-commissioned Officers (NCOs), men and women in various positions, locations and capacities. These interactions, engagements, routine and extreme encounters as well as diverse experiences revealed the undeniable love and zeal of the Nigerian officer and soldier, Airmen or Rating to serve the fatherland.
“By association and institutionalisation, I was inducted to serve the nation and with all humility I truly served. I humbly submit that I was prepared for this journey of service by God’s divine grace and favour as well as the providential contributions of certain men and women of character…”
Appreciating his family for the sacrifices they made throughout his service years, Ohwo said: “The journey has been tortuous with valleys of shadow of death along the way, but, under God, you held on with your firm support. This will never be forgotten. You are my love and my inspiration, and I never would have made it without you.
“Your steadfast encouragement and understanding have been my guiding light. I am forever grateful for the sacrifices you have made on behalf of our nation and our family. I promise henceforth to make myself available…
“For the newly appointed CDS and Service Chief, my sincere wishes and prayers are with you all as you strive to provide the required security environment needed for democracy and economic prosperity to strive.
“In the search of life’s purpose, the Holy Book states divinely that ‘there is an appointed time for everything and there is a time for every event under the heaven.
“Going forward, there’s a saying that “old soldiers never die; they just fade away.” While my time in uniform has come to an end, the lessons, friendships, and values I have gained during my years of service will remain with me always.
“Farewell to you all and in particular to my SKY HAWKs; may you continue to serve our nation with honour, courage, and unwavering dedication,” Ohwo said.
The Nation