Abia State Governor Alex Otti, has congratulated former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), on his 70th birthday, describing him as a symbol of bravery, courage and sacrifice.
Governor Otti 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.
Ihejirika, a native of Ovim in Isiukwuato Local Government Area of Abia State who was born on February 13, 1956, served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from September 2010 to January 2014 and was the first Igbo officer to hold the position since the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970.
Speaking at the event held at the International Conference Center Umuahia, which drew an array of dignitaries from across the country, including President Bola Tinubu, Senior Military officers (serving and retired), and captains of industry among others, Governor Otti paid glowing tributes to Ihejirika’s service, leadership and contributions to national security.
The Governor said that Ihejirika’s birthday was deliberately marked alongside the commissioning of landmark projects such as construction of the Omenuko bridge and the 30 Kilometers Abam-Ndiokereke-Arochukwu road, to honour his service and commitment to the state and nation.
He said politics should prioritise service over personal interests and that leadership must challenge entrenched norms, noting that Ihejirika’s steadfast commitment to the collective interest of Abians has earned him enduring respect
The Governor said that Ihejirika was appointed Chairman of the Abia State Security Council on merit and that his contributions had strengthened security within the state.
He urged public office holders to serve diligently, stressing that the opportunity to lead demands integrity and courage.
In his speech, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Uche described Ihejirika as “a patriot, courageous general, Pan-Nigeria and a fine gentleman” who served Nigeria at a very turbulent period in the war against insurgency and acquitted himself very credibly.
President Tinubu prayed God to grant the celebrant good health and long life so that the nation would continue to draw from his wealth of experience in the ongoing fight against insecurity.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive leadership within the nation’s security architecture, noting that Ihejirika was the last Service Chief from the South-East before his administration assumed office on May 29, 2023.
President Tinubu said he appointed Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla from the South-East as Chief of Naval Staff on June 19, 2023, and Air Marshal Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff in October 2025, noting that the appointments reflected deliberate efforts to promote national cohesion.
He called for unity, stressing that Nigeria’s diversity should strengthen rather than divide the country.
Also, 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, including the introduction of long-range patrols which influenced his own command approach.
Contributing, the Minister of Works, Sen Dave Umahi described Ihejirika as a man of integrity and courage who promoted officers strictly on merit, saying that his tenure addressed perceived marginalisation and strengthened institutional fairness.
Sen Umahi called for unity in the South-East, urging leaders to avoid divisive rhetoric and support development initiatives.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, represented by the Chief of Standard and Evaluation for the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Thompson Ugiagbe, described Ihejirika as a man whose life has been marked by service and whose contributions significantly enhanced national security.
He urged residents of the South-East to support the Nigerian Army with timely intelligence and cooperation.
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 and prayed God to bless the him with good health, longlife and greater blessings in the years ahead.
In his remarks, Ihejirika thanked God for preserving his life and enabling him to witness the milestone, said he was overwhelmed by the turnout of over 200 generals and numerous officers at the celebration.
The retired Lieutenant General recalled early mentorship from senior officers who guided and prepared him for military service, adding that the mentorship instilled confidence and discipline that shaped his military career.
He described missing promotion from lieutenant-colonel to colonel as a setback that later influenced his eventual appointment as Chief of Army Staff adding that he survived several accidents unharmed, which he attributed his survival to divine providence.
Ihejirika said that he never viewed his career through the lens of ethnicity or marginalisation
noting that he rose to occupy virtually every key command position open to an army officer.
He urged Nigerians to rise above divisive sentiments and embrace unity and emphasised that genuine national cohesion remains the bedrock for sustainable progress and development.
The Birthday celebration, chaired by Maj.-Gen. Ike Nwachukwu(rtd), featured a keynote address by the former Governor of Kaduna State, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, and 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.
