President Muhammadu Buhari has brought on board new service chiefs with whom he plans to superintend the nation’s security infrastructure, architecture and operational modus.

The new Service Chiefs are Major-General Lucky E.O Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z. Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff.

PROFILES OF THE NEWLY-APPOINTED SERVICE CHIEFS

▪︎AVM Isiaka Amao (Chief of Air Staff)

Advertisement

Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao was born on 14 September 1965 at Enugu. He hails from Oshogbo Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria. He enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force on 19 January 1984 as a member of 35th Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course and was commissioned as Pilot Officer on 20 December 1986. He has the following academic qualifications: Master of Science (MSc) in Defence and Strategic Studies from University of Madras India, Master of Military Science and Strategy (MMSc) and Advance Diploma in Defence and Strategy Studies from National Defence University (NDU) China, Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations and Diplomacy from Kaduna Polytechnic Nigeria, National Diploma in Freshwater and Fisheries Technology from Federal College of Freshwater and Fisheries Technology (FCFFT) New Bussa Nigeria and Nigerian Defence Academy Certificate of Education.

COURSES ATTENDED

2. Air Vice Marshal Amao has attended the following courses:
• ​​Primary Flying Training, at 301 Flying Training School Kaduna Nigeria.
• ​Basic Flying Training at 303 Flying Training School Kano Nigeria.
• ​Tactical Fighter Training at 99 Air Combat Training Group Kainji Nigeria.
• ​Instructor Pilot Course at 301 Flying Training School Kaduna Nigeria.
• ​Junior Staff Course at Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji Nigeria.
• ​Senior Staff Course at Defence Services Staff College Wellington India.
• National Defense Course at National Defence University China.
• Aircraft Accident Investigation Course at Karachi Pakistan.
• ​Aircraft Accident Investigation in Civil Airline at Nigeria Civil Aviation Training School Zaria Nigeria.

APPOINTMENTS HELD

3. Air Vice Marshal Amao has held several appointments, which include:
• Squadron Pilot at 99 Air Combat Training Group.
• Instructor Pilot at 301 Flying Training School.
• Instructor Pilot at 303 Flying Training School.
• Air Assistant to Chief of Air Staff at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force.
• Deputy Defence Adviser (Air) at Nigerian High Commission London.
• Acting Defence Adviser at Nigerian High Commission, London.
• Assistant Director Operations at Defence Headquarters Abuja Nigeria.
• Commander of 99 Air Combat Training Group.
• Commander of 75 Strike Group Yola Nigeria.
• Air Component Commander Operations ZAMALAFIYA and LAFIYA DOLE. (North East Nigeria Operation).
• Deputy Theatre Commander (Air) Operation LAFIYA DOLE.
• Director of Policy at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force.
• Director of Training at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force.
• Director of Operations at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force.
• Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command Makurdi.
• Chief of Policy and Plans Nigerian Air Force.
• He is currently the Commandant Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Lagos.

DECORATIONS AND AWARDS

4. ​Air Vice Marshal Amao’s decorations include:

• Force Service Star (FSS).
• Meritorious Service Star (MSS).
• Distinguished Service Star (DSS).
• General Service Star (GSS)
• General Service Medal (GSM).
• River Benue Star (RBS).
• Passed Staff College (PSC).
• Fellow National Defence University (FNDU) China.
• Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI).

OTHER INFORMATION

5.​ ​Air Vice Marshal Amao is a fighter instructor pilot with over 1500 jet and instructional hours. He is a recipient of the Chief of Air Staff letter of commendation for good leadership. He has participated in the following operations:

• Draw Down of AFISMA operation in Mali.
• Operation ZAMAN LAFIYA (North East Nigeria operations).
• Operation LAFIYA DOLE (North East Nigeria operations).
• Other internal security operations in Nigeria.
6. ​Air Vice Marshal Amao is happily married to Mrs Elizabeth Olubunmi Amao and they are blessed with 3 lovely boys. His Hobbies include are, reading, dancing, travelling, playing volley ball and golf as well as fish farming.

▪︎Major General I. Attahiru (Chief of Army Staff)

Ibrahim Attahiru (Chief of Army Staff)

Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru was born on August 10, 1966, and hails from Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Ibrahim was a member of the 35th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

Until his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff, he was the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigerian Army.

He was appointed to lead the offensive against Boko Haram in the North-east in May 2017, but was redeployed by his predecessor, Buratai, after a string of attacks by the insurgents.

He had also failed to meet the July 2017 deadline given him to deliver Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, dead or alive within 40 days.

But Attahiru, in his valedictory speech as the theatre commander said his removal was routine and not as a result of failure to realise his mandate.

▪︎Major General Leo Irabor (Chief of Defence Staff)

Maj. Gen. Lucky Eluonye Onyenuchea Irabor was born on 5 October 1965 in Aliokpu Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.

The senior officer gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna as a member of the 34 Regular Course in 1983 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 28 June 1986 into the Signals Corps of the Nigerian Army.

Irabor attended military and civil courses both locally and abroad.

He attended Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) for his Junior Staff Course in 1995 and Ghana Armed Forces Staff College, Teshi, Accra, Ghana for Senior Staff Course in 2000/2001 amongst others.

He equally attended the National Defence College in Bangladesh in 2010 and Harvard Kennedy Schools of Government and Executive Education, the USA in 2012 and 2017 respectively.

Irabor is a trained engineer from the Obafemi Awolowo University and holds two Masters Degrees from University of Ghana, Accra and Bangladesh University of Professionals, Dhaka.

He served as a Commander Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) of the Nigerian Army, Minna.

Major General Irabor also served as Chief of Training and Operations (CTOP) Defence Headquarters.

He served as the theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole and headed the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) as the Field Commander.

The trained engineer also served as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff.

▪︎Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo (Chief of Naval Staff)

Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo was born on 22 April 1966 and hails from Nasarawa LGA in Kano State.

He enlisted into the Nigerian Navy on 24 September 84 as a member of Regular Course 36 and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 24 September 1988.

He is an underwater warfare specialist with a sub-specialisation in intelligence.

He has attended many military courses, including sub-technical course and officers’ long course at NNS QUORRA.

He also attended Junior Division 48/99 and Senior Course 26 both at AFCSC Jaji.

Other courses attended included the National Defence Course at the South African National Defence College.

Until his appointment as the CNS, he was the Director of Procurement at the Defence Space Administration.

He holds a PGD in Transport Management and a Master’s degree in Transport Management (Logistics option) both from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso in Oyo State.

He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management, Fellow of the Certified Institute of Shipping, Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria as well as a fellow of the National Defence College, South Africa.

The senior officer has been awarded the Grand Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, passed staff course among other decorations and awards. He is married to Hajiya Nana Aishat Gambo and the marriage is blessed with three children.o

Other courses attended include the National Defence Course at the South African National Defence College. Until his recent appointment as the CNS, he was the Director of Procurement at the Defence Space Administration.