BREAKING: Maj. General David Ejoor Is Dead

Erstwhile Chief of Army Staff and Military Governor for the Mid-Western Group of Provinces, Major General David Akpode Ejoor is dead.

BIGPEN ONLINE learnt that the octogenarian died at undisclosed hospital in Lagos Sunday afternoon.

A family source who refused to give details confirmed his death in a telephone conversation Sunday evening.

Ejoor who was born on January 10, 1934 attended Government College, Ughelli between 1948 and 1952. He hails from Ovwor in Olomu Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

He joined the Nigeria army in November 13, 1953 after going through special military training at the Regular Officers Training School, Ghana from November 1953 to May 1954. On June 10, 1954 he left for United Kingdom to attend the Officers Cadet Training School, Chester.

This was followed by another course at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He was commissioned on July 27, 1956 and did some course on the use of weapons before leaving Britain for Nigeria.

In 1958, Ejoor started regimental duties at the 4th battalion Nigeria Army. He underwent another course on signals in the United Kingdom and on his return, was appointed signals officer.

Later, he took part in the Cameroon operations of 1959-1960, served in the Congo as a Major in command of a company and returned to Nigeria in 1961. He again left for the United Kingdom in 1963 for the staff College course after working briefly at the army Headquarters.

On his return in 1964, he was appointed General Staff Officer Grade I. Subsequently he was promoted Lieutenant Colonel and posted to take command of I Battalion in Enugu on December 31, 1965.

He was appointed Military Governor for the Mid-Western Group of Provinces (January1966-August1967) and arrived Benin City to assume duties on January 21, 1966. He was promoted to the rank of a Brigadier with effect form June 1, 1966.

He then served as Chief of Army Staff from January 1971 to July 1975.He subsequently retired as a Major-General.