Major Gen. Rogers Ibe Nicholas, the newly appointed Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole that spearheads the war against Boko haram terrorists, is by all standards, an outstanding officer of the Nigerian Army.

Prior to his latest assignment, Gen. Nicholas had held several appointments including Platoon Commander, Company Commander, Adjutant, Staff Officer Grades 1 and 2, Instructor, Commanding Officer and Brigade and Special Task Force Commander. He was also a Deputy Director in charge of veteran affairs in Ministry of Defence, Chief of Civil Military Affairs Army Headquarters, and his appointment as the Commander Operation Safe Haven in Jos.

To prepare himself for the various tasks, Gen. Nicholas attended several capacity building courses including Young Officers Course, Platoon commander, and support weapon courses, Instructors’ Course, junior and senior staff courses, higher defence management at National Defence College.

He also attended several courses in peace keeping operations, Disaster Management and commanded a Nigerian Battalion in Darfur under the United Nations African Mission in Darfur from 17 March 2008 – November 2008, where he received commendation from the United Nations as the most outstanding commander in the field at that period. His decorations include DSS FCM GSMH FCMH CM psc (+), fdc + PGDM MBA MSc. CPA CAN ECOMOG and UNAMID medals among several others. He also has attended several seminars which include those on Disaster Management and International Forum on Challenges in PSO.

He was the Head of the Experts and Strategic Team for Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and Benin Republic that produced the enriched working documents and communiqué signed by the Heads of States for the operationalisation of the Multi National Joint Task Force. He is also a resource person to Lake Chad Basin Commission on the fight on insurgency in the region.

Major General Nicholas has two master degrees from universities of Ibadan and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi and a post graduate degree in Public Administration from the University Jos.

He is also a fellow of Charted Public Accountant of Nigeria and member Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (Certified National Accountants). General Nicholas speaks Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba and English languages, as well as some French. He has travelled across the five major continents of the world and has visited several countries.

Of particular interest to many Nigerians is the fact that Gen. Nicholas also designed the current emblem used for Armed Force Remembrance Day Celebration.

Born on 12 June 1962 to the family of Chief and Lolo Nicholas Ibe in Kaduna. He hails from Umuaku in Alaeze Autonomous Community in Mbaitoli LG of Imo state.

He attended LEA Primary School, Gwari Road Kaduna from 1971-76 and later proceeds to Federal Government College Kaduna from 1976-1981 where he obtained his General Certificate of Education and West Africa Examination Council results.

He gained admission into Nigerian Defence Academy in 1983 and graduated in 1986 as second lieutenant and posted to the Armoured Corps. He has served in several units which include 211Battalion, 231Battalion, 21 Brigade, Nigerian Battalion 13 Economic West African Monitoring Group, Nigerian Battalion 4 United Nations African Mission in Darfur, Nigerian Army Armour School and Headquarters Nigerian Army Armoured Corps, Headquarters Training Doctrine and Command, Army Headquarters, Defence Headquarters and Headquarters 23 Brigade and Special Task Force Operation Safe Haven as Commander.

Gen. Nicholas operated effectively well around the Lake Chad Basin as a young officer when he was deployed as the Officer Commanding, in that general area. Gen. Nicholas also served in Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji and National Defence College, Abuja as a member of Directing Staff.

Major General Nicholas is married to Mrs. Evelyn Nicholas and blessed with three boys and a girl. His hobbies include reading, watching nature and people, sports and creating new ideas. (PRNigeria)

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