Azubuike Ihejirika
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Azubuike Ihejirika | |
|---|---|
 Ihejirika (right) and Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Donahue II (U.S. Army Africa commander) in 2013. | |
| Chief of Army Staff | |
| In office September 2010 – January 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Lt-Gen. A.B. Dambazau |
| Succeeded by | Lt-Gen. K. Minimah |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 February 1956 |
| Awards | Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR |
| Nickname | Dike Abia |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Nigeria |
| Branch/service |  Nigerian Army |
| Years of service | 17 December 1977–January 2014 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant general |
| Unit | 81 Division |
| Commands | Lagos garrison Command |
| Battles/wars | Boko Haram Insurgency War |
Azubuike Ihejirika,// ⓘ CFR GSS psc(+) fwc fniqs (born 13 February 1956) is a retired Nigerian Army Lieutenant general and former Chief of Army Staff.[1][2][3]
Ihejirika was born on 13 February 1956, in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, Southeastern Nigeria.[4] He was educated at Williams Memorial High School in Afugiri, a town in Umuahia North, Abia State where he obtained a London General Certificate in 1975, as well as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination with a grade I distinction.[2] He is a member of the 18th Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in December 1977 into the Corps of Nigerian Army Engineers (NAE).[5] Ihejirika holds a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Survey from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and is an alumnus of military institutions such as the Command and Staff College, Jajii and the National War College.[5]
Military career
Ihejirika was on the Directing Staff at the Command and Staff College, Jajii and was Principal Staff Officer at the Defence and Army Headquarters. He also held various command appointments including:[5]
- Commander 41 Division Engineers
- Acting General Officer Commanding, 1 Division
- General Officer Commanding, 81 Division
Ihejirika was appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on 8 September 2010, by President Goodluck Jonathan.[6] He served as COAS for over 3 years until his retirement in January 2014.[7]
Life after military
After Ihejirika retired as the Chief of Army Staff in January 2014, he returned to his hometown Isuikwuato where he was honored with a chieftaincy title, "Dike Abia" (in Igbo), the "Warrior of Abia" (in British English).[8][9]
"I thought they will give me a chieftaincy title but they made me a king. I therefore dedicate this title to my commanders and soldiers who showed strength in the midst of daunting challenges", he said.[10]