President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, July 31, decorated the Chief of Defense Staff, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, and the service chiefs with their new ranks.
It could be recalled that Tinubu appointed the new set of military security chiefs on June 19, 2023, ending the time of those appointed by his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Among others decorated are Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Vice Marshall Hassan Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff.
Their profiles
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa:
Born on December 25, 1967, Musa joined the military in 1991 and belongs to the Infantry Corps.
He obtained a B.Sc Hons in Chemistry from the Nigerian Defence Academy and holds an Advanced Diploma in Security Management from the University of Lagos and an MSc (Military Science) from the International College of Defence Studies in China.
Musa had attended various military courses and held several important positions, including Platoon Commander, Operations Officer for the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, and Command Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region.
He has received several awards and decorations for his meritorious service.
He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and Nigerian Institute of Industrial Security.
He married to Mrs. Lillian Oghogho Musa, and the marriage is blessed with children.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja:
Lagbaja was born on February 28, 1968.
He was granted a Regular Combatant Commission as part of the 39 Regular Course on September 19, 1992, in the rank of Second Lieutenant.
In the course of his career spanning over three decades, he has attended several courses and held instructional, staff, and command appointments creditably.
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, and a Masters in Strategic Studies awarded by the United States Army War College, Pennsylvania.
Lagbaja is an alumnus of the United States Army War College Class of 2014 and is qualified as an Airborne Jump Master.
He has served in various capacities, including as a Military Observer at the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chief of Staff at Headquarters 8 Task Force Division in Monguno, and Commander of the 72 Special Forces Battalion in Makurdi.
He has also commanded infantry brigades, namely the 9 and 2 Brigades in Lagos and Uyo, and served as General Officer Commanding for the 82 Division in Enugu and the 1 Division in Kaduna.
Prior to his appointment as the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, he was the Chief of Operations (Army), where he coordinated all local and foreign operational activities of the Nigerian Army.
Lt-General Lagbaja is married to Mrs. Maria Lagbaja, and they have children.
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla:
Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla was born on December 20, 1968. He enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of the 39 Regular Combatant Course on September 16, 1987, and was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy as Sub-Lieutenant on September 19, 1992.
Ogalla graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and received the Sword of Honour as the Best Graduating Naval Cadet, recognized for his academic excellence, military training, leadership qualities, and character.
He has attended various courses within and outside the country, including the Basic Hydrographic Course at the National Hydrographic School in Goa, India, and the Junior and Senior Staff Courses at Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji. He also completed the Higher Strategic Course at the National Defence College, Abuja, and holds a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan.
Ogalla has held several significant appointments, such as Watch Keeping Duties on board NNS AGU, Instructor, Chief Instructor, and Commandant at the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic School. He also served as the Base Operations Officer at NNS PATHFINDER, where he played a vital role in combating oil theft and other economic crimes.
He is married to Mrs. Ijeoma Ogalla, and the union is blessed with children.
Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar:
Born on September 11, 1970, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar is the 22nd Chief of the Air Staff.
He joined the Nigerian Air Force as part of the 39 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy and became a commissioned Pilot Officer in September 1992.
Throughout his flying career, he accumulated over 4,500 flying hours on various aircraft, including the Air Beetle, Dornier-228, C-130 Hercules, and Boeing 737.
Abubakar is a member of the elite Special Forces, having completed training in Basic and Advanced Airborne Courses, as well as the Amphibious Operations Course at the Nigerian Army Infantry Centre and Schools.
He holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and received strategic military training at the Nasser Higher Military Academy in Cairo, Egypt.
Abubakar has held various important positions, including Operations Officer at the Operational Conversion Unit, 88 Military Airlift Group in Ikeja, Commanding Officer of 21 Wing, Group Safety Officer, and Team leader at the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC).
He also served as the Commander of the 011 Presidential Air Fleet and as the Chief of Staff of Mobility Command in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
He is happily married to Mrs. Rakiya Abubakar, and they have children together.
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