FROM MILITARY BARRACKS TO BAPTIST HIGH SCHOOL, JOS: HOW 1976 BECAME A WATERSHED YEAR IN MY SEARCH FOR EDUCATION — PART I
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| Mr. Okunade-Igboho Micheal |
An extraordinary memoir of courage, faith, determination and the refusal to abandon a dream
There are moments in a person's life when one decision changes everything.
For one of Igboho's illustrious sons, 1976 was such a year.
It was the year he transitioned from military service to the classroom; the year he experienced disappointment at the American Embassy in Kaduna; the year a pastor's simple letter of recommendation opened an unexpected door; and ultimately, the year he returned to formal education at Baptist High School, Jos, after years away from the classroom.
His story is more than a personal recollection. It is a remarkable testimony of resilience, determination, faith and the conviction that it is never too late to pursue a dream.
In this deeply personal account, he takes readers back to the events that shaped one of the most consequential chapters of his life.
THE DECISION TO LEAVE THE ARMY
The military coup of 1975, which overthrew General Yakubu Gowon, became an unexpected turning point in his life.
Following the coup, Gowon left Kampala, Uganda, and proceeded to Warwick University in the United Kingdom to further his education.
His decision to return to the classroom at that stage of his life made a profound impression.
It challenged him to reconsider his own educational journey.
He began asking himself an important question: If others could return to the classroom after occupying positions of responsibility, why could he not do the same?
By October 1975, he had made up his mind.
He submitted his letter of voluntary retirement from active military service.
His Officer Commanding at the Medical Reception Station, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, Kaduna, was surprised.
He wondered why a relatively young military officer would voluntarily abandon his career.
The answer was simple.
He wanted to further his education.
Initially, his commanding officer refused to endorse the application. Instead, he advised him to go home and reconsider the decision carefully.
Two weeks later, however, he returned.
This time, he was more determined.
He presented the same application.
Convinced that his decision was genuine and irreversible, the officer eventually endorsed it and forwarded it through the Nigerian Army Medical Corps at Dalet Barracks, Kawo, Kaduna, to Army Headquarters in Lagos.
But before the final approval arrived, history intervened once again.
THE FEBRUARY 1976 COUP
While awaiting the outcome of his retirement application, he travelled with a military contingent from Jaji to Port Harcourt for the National Shooting Competition.
As the medical personnel attached to the contingent, he was responsible for providing medical support.
The country was expecting the then Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, to declare the competition open on February 14, 1976.
Instead, on Friday, February 13, 1976, Nigeria was plunged into another political crisis.
An attempted military coup led by Brigadier General M. B. Dimka resulted in the assassination of General Murtala Mohammed.
According to his recollection, a signal was received from Army Headquarters around 6:00 p.m., directing military formations to halt troop movements.
The details of what had happened were initially unclear.
By about 7:00 p.m., however, Radio Nigeria's national broadcast from Lagos confirmed the assassination and announced that the coup attempt had failed.
Dimka, who had announced the coup, was on the run.
Those in Port Harcourt suddenly found themselves away from their respective formations during a period of national uncertainty.
The following day, another signal directed officers and soldiers who were away from their formations to return to their respective units.
On Sunday, February 15, the contingent departed Port Harcourt and eventually arrived at Jaji, Kaduna, on Monday afternoon.
Following the crisis, General Olusegun Obasanjo emerged as the new Head of State and Commander-in-Chief.
Then came the news he had been waiting for.
APRIL 1976: THE ARMY DOOR CLOSES
On April 5, 1976, Army Headquarters in Lagos formally approved his application for voluntary retirement from the Nigerian Army.
His discharge certificate recorded nine years and 142 days of meritorious service.
His name subsequently appeared in Part I Orders, the official bulletin of the Nigerian Army, under the Nigerian Army Medical Corps, announcing his voluntary retirement.
He was then required to proceed on a terminal leave of 28 working days.
A chapter of his life had officially come to an end.
But another was waiting to begin.
THE BATTLE FOR HIS GRATUITY
Leaving the Army did not immediately bring relief.
The next challenge was collecting his gratuity.
Despite submitting the required documents, payment did not come promptly.
For him, this became his first direct encounter with what he described as bureaucratic red tape.
After almost a decade of military service, navigating the administrative processes surrounding his retirement became frustrating.
Eventually, towards the end of June 1976, his gratuity was paid.
The experience, however, left him with a valuable lesson about the difficulties that can accompany the transition from military service to civilian life.
But his eyes were already fixed on another destination.
America.
THE AMERICAN DREAM THAT COLLAPSED IN KADUNA
After receiving his gratuity, he began preparing to travel to the United States of America to continue his education.
He purchased his flight ticket and obtained his BTA, or Basic Travel Allowance.
He vividly remembers that in June 1976, ₦45 was exchanged for US$1.
His plan was to visit a friend in America, find some form of employment and, most importantly, continue his education.
He approached the American Embassy in Kaduna with his travel documents, including his ticket and BTA.
Then came the disappointment.
His visa application was rejected.
The dream he had carefully nurtured appeared to have collapsed overnight.
He was devastated.
But sometimes, what appears to be a closed door is simply an unexpected redirection.
That redirection came through Rev. J. A. Keku, affectionately known as Baba Keku, the Senior Pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, Kawo, Kaduna.
When Baba Keku heard about the visa disappointment, he sympathised with him.
Then he asked a question that would change the course of his life:
“What was your aim of disengaging from the Nigerian Army?”
His answer was immediate:
“I want to further my education.”
The following day, Baba Keku wrote a recommendation letter to the Principal of Baptist High School, Jos, recommending him for admission as a full-time student.
That seemingly simple letter became the bridge between disappointment and opportunity.
A NEW LIFE AT BAPTIST HIGH SCHOOL, JOS
The following day, he travelled to Jos with Baba Keku's letter.
Baptist High School was on holiday.
The Principal, Mr. Elisha Sambo, was not around.
He waited patiently.
When the Principal eventually returned that evening, the letter was presented to him.
After reading it, Mr. Sambo began asking questions about his educational background.
He explained that he had completed his Secondary Modern School education in 1964 before joining the Nigerian Army.
Years had passed since he last sat in a formal classroom.
He had grown from a schoolboy into a soldier, served during a turbulent period in Nigeria's history, and eventually retired.
Now he stood before a school Principal seeking admission.
He had, in many ways, come full circle.
“FORM FOUR OR GO AWAY”
The Principal asked which class he wanted to join.
His answer was:
“Form Two.”
The Principal immediately rejected the request.
He pleaded for Form Three.
Again, the answer was no.
Then came the unexpected option.
If he could not join Form Four, he would have to leave.
At first, the words startled him.
But he soon understood the wisdom behind the Principal's decision.
Admission into Form Four meant that he could spend two years preparing for the GCE Ordinary Level examination.
Rather than spending several additional years rebuilding his secondary education, he could complete the programme within a reasonable period.
He accepted.
Looking back, he believes Mr. Sambo saw something in him that he himself had not fully recognised.
The Principal did not merely give him admission.
He gave him a second chance.
He was instructed to return when the holiday ended and resume in September 1976.
He was also given a list of required materials and school fees.
He left the Principal's office that evening with a heart full of gratitude.
The dream he had feared was slipping away was beginning to take shape again.
BABA KEKU: THE MAN WHO OPENED ANOTHER DOOR
The following day, he returned to Kaduna and went straight to Baba Keku.
He could barely contain his excitement.
He shared the good news.
The Principal had accepted him.
He had gained admission to Baptist High School, Jos.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, he prostrated before Baba Keku.
It was not simply a cultural gesture of respect.
It was an expression of genuine appreciation.
He recognised the role the pastor had played at a critical moment in his life.
When the American Embassy had closed one door, Baba Keku had helped him discover another.
That act of kindness would remain permanently engraved in his memory.
While waiting for September, he began studying at home.
He also visited the Kaduna State Library from time to time, determined to refresh his knowledge and prepare himself for the academic journey ahead.
He knew he would be older than most of his classmates.
He knew he had been away from formal education for years.
But he was determined.
SEPTEMBER 6, 1976 — A NEW BEGINNING
Then came the day he had been waiting for.
September 6, 1976.
It remains one of the unforgettable dates of his life.
On that day, he reported to Baptist High School, Jos, as a full-time student.
For years, he had worn military uniforms and answered the call of duty.
Now he was wearing a school uniform and answering another call:
the call to education.
He was assigned to Whitley House as a boarding student.
The following day, he purchased his complete school uniform, including his short knickers, Sunday wear, school tie and sandals.
Those items were ordinary school necessities.
But to him, they symbolised something much greater.
A new identity.
A new beginning.
A new journey.
THE DETERMINATION TO PASS THE GCE
He registered for Arts subjects because they were areas he knew and enjoyed.
His subjects included:
- English Language
- Bible Knowledge
- History
- Geography
- Literature in English
But he was not prepared to do only what was required.
He independently took up three additional subjects:
- Economics
- Government
- Commerce
He purchased the WAEC syllabus and systematically worked through it.
He knew he had a mountain to climb.
He was older than most of his classmates and had spent years outside formal education.
His strategy was therefore simple:
discipline, determination and hard work.
He studied relentlessly.
He remembered the Army.
He remembered his retirement.
He remembered the struggle for his gratuity.
He remembered the disappointment at the American Embassy.
And he remembered Baba Keku's intervention.
He could not afford to fail.
He wanted to prove something to himself:
It was never too late to pursue a dream.
FRIENDSHIPS THAT BECAME LEGACIES
His years at Baptist High School, Jos, also introduced him to people who would later make remarkable contributions in their respective fields.
Among them was Rev. Otoma, of blessed memory, who was a pastor at United Baptist Church, Jos, and also a member of his class.
Then there was Israel Adelani Akanji, from Sepeteri, only about 24 kilometres from Igboho.
The geographical connection immediately created a bond.
Far away from home, finding someone from a neighbouring town brought a sense of familiarity.
Israel was exceptionally knowledgeable in History.
The two became friends and frequently studied together during night preparation.
Neither could have known at the time how remarkable their future paths would become.
Adelani Akanji later became a pastor after attending Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, and eventually rose to become President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
Other classmates included Tunde Oyedeji, popularly known as OYESCO, who later became a pastor; Yahaya Chindo, who became a Chartered Accountant; and Zibai Sambo, son of the Principal, who later became a pilot.
Jude Olotu was another close friend and classmate. He was talented academically and in sports and later became a registered engineer and successful businessman.
Bola Adesina, who excelled in Mathematics and English Literature, later obtained a B.Sc. in Mathematics from the University of Jos and eventually retired as a Director in the Federal Ministry of Education.
What appeared at the time to be ordinary classroom friendships eventually became a remarkable collection of accomplished lives.
They thought they were simply students.
History, however, was quietly taking note.
THE QUIET HOLIDAY
At the end of the first term in December 1976, the students vacated the school.
But he remained behind.
He was the only student left in the dormitory, together with his Housemaster, Mr. Jumbo, of blessed memory.
The normally vibrant school became almost completely silent.
For him, however, the solitude became an opportunity.
The school librarian allowed him access to the library at virtually any time.
He read.
He studied.
He revised.
And he prayed.
Mr. Jumbo would later graduate from the University of Jos and become a Professor of Geography before his death.
That quiet holiday provided him with something invaluable: time to concentrate.
It also deepened his spiritual reflection.
Looking back on his journey—from Igboho to the Nigerian Army, from military service to retirement, from the disappointment at the American Embassy to Baptist High School, Jos—he began to understand that life does not always follow the route we plan.
Sometimes, a closed door is not the end.
It is a redirection.
THE ARCHIPELAGO HE NEVER FORGOT
The students resumed for the second term in January 1977.
By then, he was gradually becoming comfortable with school life again.
The classrooms no longer felt strange.
The books and examinations were becoming familiar.
Then came a Geography quiz conducted by Principal Elisha Sambo.
One question stood out:
“What is an archipelago?”
He knew the answer.
He was the only student who got it right.
When the Principal expressed surprise, he explained that he had learnt the meaning of the word years earlier—in 1963, while in Class Two at Baptist Secondary Modern School, Igboho.
More than a decade later, that seemingly forgotten lesson resurfaced.
The experience reinforced a powerful lesson:
Knowledge acquired in childhood may remain dormant, but it is rarely lost.
The Principal and teachers had begun noticing his academic abilities.
Soon, he was nominated to represent the school in a quiz competition organised by Plateau Radio Television.
Jude Olotu represented the school in the Science category.
The team performed brilliantly and defeated their opponent by a wide margin.
One question in particular became unforgettable.
The quiz master asked:
“Which year was the UNO founded?”
His answer came without hesitation:
“October 24, 1945.”
The response earned him a round of applause.
Unknown to him, his Principal, teachers and fellow students were watching.
The following day, Mr. Sambo publicly commended him during History class.
The praise strengthened his confidence.
From that point, he was no longer merely studying to pass.
He wanted to excel.
FROM FORMER SOLDIER TO HOUSE PREFECT
By the third term, the school began appointing new prefects.
Yahaya Chindo became Senior Prefect, while Cecilia Ogbu became Senior Girl. She would later rise to become a high-ranking Judge in the Benue State Judiciary.
Then came his own appointment.
He was appointed House Prefect of Agboola House.
For someone who had only recently returned to formal education, the appointment was significant.
Only months earlier, he had been a retired soldier seeking a second chance.
Now, the school authorities were entrusting him with leadership.
He moved from Whitley House to Agboola House.
The appointment became more than a title.
It was a vote of confidence.
It demonstrated that the past does not necessarily dictate the future.
He had been a soldier.
He had been a retiree.
He had been a disappointed visa applicant.
Now he was a student.
And now, he was a prefect.
His life was teaching him an enduring lesson:
A person can begin again.
LOOKING BEYOND THE HORIZON
Towards the end of the third term, his thoughts once again turned towards another adventure.
He began planning a journey through some West African countries where he had friends and relatives.
Once again, he was looking beyond the immediate horizon.
After completing the third-term examinations, the students left for the three-month summer holiday.
For him, however, the journey was far from over.
The classroom had given him something more valuable than certificates.
It had restored his confidence.
It had demonstrated the power of perseverance.
And above all, it had confirmed a principle that would remain central to his life:
A dream delayed is not necessarily a dream denied.
His journey from military barracks to Baptist High School, Jos, was only one chapter in a much larger story.
And the story was just beginning.
EDITOR'S NOTE
This memoir offers a rare first-person window into a defining period in the life of one of Igboho's illustrious sons—a man whose journey demonstrates that education, courage and determination can transform even the most difficult circumstances into opportunities for reinvention.
His story also preserves valuable memories of Nigeria's military history, the educational environment of the 1970s, Baptist education in Jos, and the formative relationships that helped shape the lives of individuals who would later rise to prominence in different fields.
Part II will continue the journey beyond Baptist High School, Jos, and chronicle the next chapter in this remarkable search for knowledge and purpose.
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David Alani Ige (The Scribe)
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, Ayekooto MediaDavid Alani Ige is a seasoned journalist, strategic analyst, and the visionary publisher of Ayekooto Media. With a relentless commitment to archiving Nigeria's political realities and delivering the unvarnished truth, he has built a formidable platform for deep-dive reportage and editorial excellence. He is widely known by his readers and peers as "The Scribe".
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