President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has in the exercise of the powers
conferred on him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
approved the following changes in the nation’s Military High Command:
Air Marshal Alex Badeh takes over from Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim as Chief
of Defence Staff;
Major-General Kenneth Tobiah Jacob Minimah takes over from Lt.-General
Azubike O. Ihejirika as Chief of Army Staff;
Rear Admiral Usman O. Jibrin takes over from Vice Admiral Dele Joseph
Ezeoba as Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Vice Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu
takes over from Air Marshal Badeh as Chief of Air Staff.
All the changes are with immediate effect.
The new Chief of Defence Staff and former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal
Badeh was born on January 10, 1957 and joined the Air Force as a member of
the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 21 Regular Course while the new Chief of
Army Staff, Major-General Minimah was born on July 27, 1959 and joined the
Army as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 25 Regular Course.
Until his new appointment, Major-General Minimah was the Commander of the
Nigerian Army Infantry Corps, Jaji.
The new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin was born on
September 16, 1959 and joined the Navy as a member of the Nigerian Defence
Academy’s 24 Regular Course. Until his appointment as Chief of Naval
Staff, he was Director of Training at Defence Headquarters.
The new Chief of Air Staff and immediate past Commander of the
Presidential Air Fleet, Air Vice Marshal Amosu was born on August 1, 1958
and joined the Air Force as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 25
Regular Course. Until his new appointment, Air Vice Marshal Amosu was the
Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, Makurdi.
President Jonathan has briefed the leadership of the National Assembly on
the appointment of the new service chiefs and will, in keeping with the
provisions of the law, request the National Assembly to formally confirm
the appointments when it reconvenes.