The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, and all the Service Chiefs have joined the family of late former Defence Chief, Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi to mourn his demise.
A statement on Sunday, by the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, on behalf of the CDS, announced Ogohi’s passing which sad event occured in the early hours of Sunday, 30 June 2024, at a hospital in Abuja, after a brief illness. He was aged 75.
The late Ogohi was described as an elder statesman who continued to provide his wealth of experience to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) even after retirement from active service 20 years ago.
Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi, who served as Nigeria’s 8th Chief of Defence Staff, from 1999 to 2003, was born in Lafia, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, on 14 November 1948.
Hee enrolled into the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna in 1967 as a member of 4th Regular Course and was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 1970.
He was a Principal Warfare Specialist Officer who majored in Under Water Warfare. He started his military training as a Midshipman in the United Kingdom in 1971 and attended the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course in India in 1972.
The late Ogohi also attended his Staff and Defence courses at the United States Naval War College in 1980 and 1991 respectively. He held several appointments in the Nigerian Navy including:
Commanding Officer Nigerian Navy Ship YOLA – 1976 – 1977; Commanding Officer Nigerian Navy Ships OTOBO and DORINA – 1980;
Commanding Officer Nigerian Navy Ship EKUN – 1982.
He became the Naval Provost Marshall in 1982 and commanded Nigerian Navy Ship ANANSA from 1985 to 1986. The late Admiral was the Director of Administration Nigerian Defence Academy from 1986 to 1987 and a Directing Staff at the National War College (now National Defence College) from 1992 to 1993.
In 1995, he was appointed Chief of Policy and Plans at the Naval Headquarters and became Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, in May 1996. He was promoted Rear Admiral in July 1996 and promoted Vice Admiral in June 2000. He became Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff
in 1999 and retired as Admiral in 2003 after 33 years of distinguished service to the nation.
While in the Service, Admiral Ogohi was decorated with the Forces Service Star, passed staff course, fellow of the United States War College and Distinguished Fellow of the National War College. He was also conferred with the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic by then President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The CDS prayed to Almighty Allah to grant his soul rest in perfect peace.
