The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has said the late Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi, 8th Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria from 1999-2003, was patriotic to the end.
General Musa, in a statement by the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, on Sunday, said Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi died in the early hours of Sunday, June 30, 2024, at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja after a brief illness at the age of 75-year-old.
Admiral Ogohi, who hails from Kogi State, was born in Lafia, Dekina local government area of the State, on November 14, 1948.
He enrolled into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna as a member of 4th Regular Course in 1967 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 1970.
The late Senior Naval officer was a Principal Warfare Specialist who majored in Under Water Warfare.
Admiral Ogohi started his military training as a Midshipman in the United Kingdom in 1971 and attended the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course in India in 1972.
He also attended his Staff and Defence Courses at the United States Naval War College in 1980 and 1991, respectively.
The late Admiral Ogohi 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, and Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship EKUN – 1982.
He became the Naval Provost Marshall in 1982 and commanded Nigerian Navy Ship ANANSA from 1985 – 1986.
The late Admiral was the Director of Administration, Nigerian Defence Academy from 1986 – 1987 and a Directing Staff at the National War College (now National Defence College) from 1992 – 1993.
He was appointed Chief of Policy and Plans at the Naval Headquarters in 1995 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.
The statement said the incumbent Chief of Defence Staff and all the Service Chiefs joined the family of the late Admiral Ogohi and entire Nigerian people to mourn the exit of the distinguished Naval officer whom he 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 two decades ago.
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.