Tuesday, August 5th 1975.
Footage of Brigadier Murtala Muhammed, the Nigerian military Head of State presiding over the swearing-in ceremony of members of the Supreme Military Council which replaced the previous council led by General Yakubu Gowon who had been overthrown on July 29th 1975.
The swearing in took place after a photo shoot in the grounds of Dodan Barracks, the seat of power.
Among those captured on film being sworn-in were Brigadier Theophilus Danjuma, the Army Chief of Staff; Commodore Michael Ayinde Adelanwa, the Chief of the Naval Staff; and Navy Captain Olufemi Olumide.
Brigadier Olusegun Obasanjo, the Chief of Staff Supreme Headquaters was seated on Muhammed's right and Lt. Colonel Babatunde Idiagbon, the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) at Supreme Headquarters, stood next to those taking the oath.
Among those members of the junta who posed for an official photograph with Brigadier Murtala Muhammed were Brigadier Iliya Bisalla, Alhaji M.D. Yusuf, Brigadier Olusegun Obasanjo, Brigadier Theophilus Danjuma, Commodore Michael Adelanwa, and the Air Force Chief, Air Force Colonel John Yisa-Doko, Brigadier Emmanuel Abisoye, Brigadier James Oluleye, Navy Captain Olufemi Olumide, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman, Navy Captain Husaini Abdulahi, Colonel Alani Akinrinade, Colonel Ibrahim Babangida, Colonel Joseph Garba, Lt. Colonel Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, Air Force Colonel Dan Suleiman and Lt. Commander Ndubuisi Kanu.
Among the objectives of the new regime was the creation of new states and the choosing of a location for a new federal capital.
Source: Private Collection.
