The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa, has mourned the death of one of his predecessors, Ibrahim Ogohi, who died on Sunday morning in Abuja after a brief illness.
Mr Musa, an army general, described the deceased as an elder statesman, a patriot at heart and a naval officer who “continued to lend his wealth of experience to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) even after retiring from active service two decades ago.”
Ogohi, who died at the age of 75, served as CDS between 1999 and 2003.
The journey of the deceased to become a CDS
Mr Musa, in a statement signed by Tukur Gusau, Brigadier General and Acting Director of Defense Information, gave a brief profile of the deceased naval officer.
Mr Ogohi, according to the statement, was born in Lafia, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State on November 14, 1948.
“In 1967, he enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna as a member of the 4th Regular Course and was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 1970.”
“He was a Senior Warfare Specialist Officer who specialised in submarine warfare. He began his military training as a midshipman in the UK in 1971 and attended the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course in India in 1972.”
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He also attended his General Staff and Defense courses at the United States Naval War College in 1980 and 1991 respectively,” he added.
The late CDS served in various capacities including “Commanding Officer Nigerian Navy Ship YOLA – 1976 – 1977, Commanding Officer Nigerian Navy Ships OTOBO and DORINA – 1980, Commanding Officer Ship of the Nigerian Navy EKUN – 1982″.
Mr. Ogohi became Naval Provost Marshal in 1982 and commanded the Nigerian Navy ship ANANSA from 1985 to 1986.
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Furthermore, the late CDS served as Director of Administration of the Nigerian Defense Academy between 1986 and 1987. He was subsequently appointed as Staff of the National War College (now National Defense College) between 1992 and 1993.
“In 1995, he was appointed Chief of Policies and Plans at Naval Headquarters and became Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, in May 1996,” the statement continued. He “he was promoted to Rear Admiral in July 1996 and to Vice Admiral in June 2000.”
Ogohi was appointed CDS in 1999 and retired as an admiral in 2003 “after 33 years of distinguished service to the nation.”
While in the service, Mr. Ogohi was “decorated with the Forces Service Star, passed the staff course, was a member of the United States War College, and a distinguished member of the National War College.”
Later, former President Olusegun Obasanjo conferred on him the distinction of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic.