By IHECHINYERE CHIGEMERI-UWOM

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), on his 70th birthday, describing him as a “patriot, Pan-Nigerian and fine gentleman”.

Tinubu said this on Friday night, at a public lecture titled “Leading Nigeria Forward: Strategies for Security and National Cohesion,” organised by Abia Government, to mark Ihejirika’s 70th birthday, in Umuahia.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was also held in honour of the celebrator’s contributions to national security.

The President, represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Ude, also described Ihejirika as a courageous general.

Tonubu noted that Ihejirika served Nigeria at a very turbulent period in the war against insurgency and acquitted himself very credibly.

He prayed God to grant him good health and long life, so that the nation would continue to draw from his wealth of experience and expertise in the ongoing fight against insecurity.

Tinubu said that the Federal Government remained committed to inclusive leadership in the nation’s security architecture.

He noted that Ihejirika was the last Service Chief from the South-East geopolitical zone, before his administration assumed office on May 29, 2023.

Tinubu said that he appointed Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla from the South-East as Chief of Naval Staff on June 19, 2023, and in October 2025, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, from the South-East, as Chief of Air Staff.

The President said that such appointments reflected the Federal Government’s resolve to foster national cohesion and give all regions a sense of belonging.

He said: “We will continue on this trajectory because it is only by giving every part of the country a sense of belonging in setting up the nation’s security architecture that we are able to bolster national cohesion, loyalty, and solidarity needed to overcome the enemies of our nation.”

He reiterated support for state police and urged the National Assembly to review relevant laws to enable states establish sub-national policing where necessary.

Tinubu said: “Let me restate our commitment to the centralisation of the nation’s policing system by bringing back sub-national policing as was obtainable in the First Republic.

“You will recall that I have already given a nod to the establishment of State Police.

“I have stressed the need for the National Assembly to begin the review of relevant laws, such that states that consider state police imperative are able to establish them,” he said.

He said that Nigeria’s size and diversity require additional policing structures to effectively address security challenges.

The President called for unity, stressing that Nigeria’s diversity should strengthen rather than divide the nation.

In his address, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia said that Ihejirika’s birthday was deliberately marked alongside the inauguration of landmark projects to honour his service and commitment to the state and nation.

Otti said that politics should prioritise service over personal interests, adding that leadership must challenge entrenched norms.

He noted that Ihejirika was appointed Chairman of the Abia State Security Council on merit and his contributions had strengthened security within the state.

The governor urged public office holders to serve diligently, stressing that the opportunity to lead demanded integrity and courage.

Also speaking, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, described Ihejirika as a man whose life has been marked by service.

Shaibu, represented by the Chief of Standard and Evaluation, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Thompson Ugiagbe, noted that the contributions of the retired general significantly enhanced national security.

The COAS called on residents of the South-East to support the Army by providing timely intelligence and cooperating with ongoing operations.

He emphasised the importance of backing the Federal Government’s strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening security across the nation.

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), recounted professional encounters with Ihejirika, describing him as a leader who mentored officers and strengthened operational strategies.

Musa said that Ihejirika’s introduction of long-range patrols influenced his own command approach, yielding significant operational improvements.

He praised Abia’s infrastructural strides, expressing surprise at visible progress within two years and commending Otti’s leadership.

Musa urged South-East leaders and citizens to unite, move beyond past grievances and pursue regional advancement.

The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, described Ihejirika as a man of integrity and courage who promoted officers strictly on merit.

Umahi said that Ihejirika’s tenure as Chief of Army Staff addressed perceived marginalisation and strengthened institutional fairness.

He called for unity in the South-East, and urged leaders to avoid divisive rhetorics and support development initiatives.

Keynote Speaker, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, said that effective leadership requires vision, inclusivity, accountability, and the ability to inspire trust and cooperation, crucial for strengthening national security and governance.

Makarafi noted that Nigeria faces terrorism, insurgency, kidnappings, and communal conflicts.

He urged leaders to engage stakeholders discreetly, prioritise action over rhetoric, and leverage community cooperation for effective security management.

Makarfi called for the empowering security agencies with logistics, manpower, and welfare support, stressing that leadership must be accessible, responsive, and focused on security to enable development in other sectors.

The Chairman of the occasion, Maj.-Gen. Ike Nwachukwu(rtd), described Ihejirika as an exceptional officer, statesman and courageous leader devoted to Nigeria and the development of his people.

Nwachukwu thanked God for witnessing Ihejirika at 70, praising his passion for uplifting the underdeveloped and his contributions to national stability.

He commended ongoing transformation in Abia, expressing pride in the state’s progress under the Otti-led administration.

Nwachukwu urged Abia citizens to sustain good governance, insisting that performance, not politics, should guide electoral choices.

He called for greater support for the Nigerian Armed Forces, noting that security required collaboration between citizens and the military.

The elder statesman advocated true federalism, stressing that Nigeria’s development depended on devolved powers and stronger federating units.

He dismissed claims that no state was viable, arguing that land, people and resources, if properly harnessed, guaranteed progress.

Responding to the accolades, Ihejirika thanked God for preserving his life and enabling him to witness the milestone.

The celebrator said that he was overwhelmed by the turnout of over 200 generals and numerous officers at the event.

He recalled early mentorship from senior officers who guided and prepared him for military service, adding that it instilled confidence and discipline that shaped his military career.

Ihejirika described missing promotion from lieutenant-colonel to colonel as a setback that later influenced his eventual appointment as Chief of Army Staff.

The retired general said that he survived several accidents unharmed, attributing his survival to divine providence.

He said that he never viewed his career through the lens of ethnicity or marginalisation, and held virtually all command positions available to an army officer during his service.

Ihejirika urged Nigerians to embrace unity, stressing that national cohesion was essential for progress.

Earlier, the sister of the celebrant, Mrs Oluchi Chigbu, described her brother as a beacon of hope and pillar of support to the Ihejirika family.

Chigbu prayed God to bless him with good health, long life and greater blessings in the years ahead.

The event was attended by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor(rtd), former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Abdulraham Dambazua (rtd), numerous retired service chiefs, service commanders and dignitaries from all walks of life.

Ihejirika is a native of Ovim, Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia, and was born on Feb. 13, 1956.

He served as the Chief of Army Staff from September 2010 to January 2014 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, and was the first Igbo officer to hold the position since the Nigerian Civil War ended in 1970. (NAN)