The Pan-Niger Delta Forum has selected a former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Kenneth Tobiah Jacob Minimah (rtd.) as its Rivers State chairman.
The National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Ken Robinson, disclosed this during the opening of the forum’s office in the State and the inauguration of its local government executives in Port Harcourt, saying the organisation was delighted to have the former Army Chief heading the forum in the State, stating that the Rivers office was the first in the country.
Meanwhile, PANDEF’s National Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Essien, has called on stakeholders in the region to think beyond oil to create a sustainable livelihood for the people.
He said, “Posterity will not forgive us if we do not make our own contributions to the success of this region. In the next few years, the world may not be driven by the oil that is being taken from the Niger Delta region.
“It may become obsolete because electric engines are being developed to replace the combustible engines. Which means in the next few years, they may not need fuel. Electric cars are being developed. Both solar and electric engines are being developed. So what will become of the Niger Delta region in the next few years?
“We have to look and think beyond oil. I also know that some state governors are planning programmes for the Niger Delta region beyond the oil. I want to also appeal to the governors and the National Assembly members to collaborate with PANDEF.”
CURRICULUM VITAE OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL KTJ MINIMAH CFR (RETIRED) FORMER CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF NIGERIAN ARMY
Lieutenant General Kenneth Tobiah Jacob Minimah CFR (Retired), was born on 27 July 1959 in Opobo, Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State into the family of Late Alabo Tobiah Jacob Obiesigha and Alabota Mercy Minimah.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
He attended Township Primary School, Baptist High School and the College of Science and Technology all in Port Harcourt between 1965 and 1978. His foray into the military stated on 3rd January 1979 when he was enlisted as a member of the 25th Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps on 18th December 1981 after undergoing cadet training. He holds the Nigerian Defence Academy Certificate of Education, Advance Diploma in Public Administration, Bachelor of Arts in History and International Studies and Masters in Strategic Studies. He is an alumnus of the National Defence College,
Abuja Nigeria.
MILITARY COURSES
During his meritorious career spanning over 3 decades, General Minimah attendedall the mandatory military courses required for progression to each rank. These are the Young Officers Course (Infantry), 81mm Mortar Platoon Commanders Course, the Junior and Senior Division Staff Courses and the National War College. In addition he attended several voluntary specialized courses, some of which include the Jungle Warfare and Combat Survival Course, Basic and Advanced Airborne Courses as well as the Airborne Instructors Course.
APPOINTMENTS HELD
While in Service he held key command, instructional and staff appointments. These include Commanding Officer 149 Battalion, Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji, Commandant Depot Nigerian Army, Commandant Nigerian Army School Infantry (NASI), Commander 1 Brigade Sokoto, GOC 81 Division Lagos and Commander Infantry Corps. He rose to the highest office in the Army as the 19th indigenous Chief of Army Staff and retired in July 2015.
OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE 2
General Minimah has a rich operational experience having participated in several internal and external operations. He served with 72 Para Battalion that defeated Charles Taylor in Liberia. He was the CO of Nigerian Battalion II with the United Nations Mission in Serra Leone. He was said to have rekindled the spirit of his troops leading to repel of 17 attacks by the Revolutionary United Front rebels. He also served as the Commander of Operation Sweep in Lagos State. It was under his able leadership that the Nigerian Army, supported by other security agencies turned the tide against the Boko Haram Terrorists leading to the recapture of lost territories and restoration of relative peace in some parts of the North East.
HONOURS AND AWARDS
The former Army Chief is highly decorated with numerous honours and awards including the Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS) and Grand Service Star (GSS). He was awarded the Passed Staff Course+ Dagger and he is a distinguished Fellow of the National Defence College. Others are the Corps Medal of Honour (CMH), Training Support Medal (TSM), Field Command Medal of Honour (FCMH) and the Nigerian Army Medal
(NAM). He is a proud recipient of the Nigeria’s national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).
MISCELLANEOUS
General Minimah is happily married to Mrs Felly Elimabha Minimah and they are blessed with 3 children; Barasua Minimah, Mrs Opune Oboyona, and Sokipiri Minimah. Kenneth is a strong parachutist of repute who broke barriers when he became the first senior officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces to jump out of an aircraft as a Brigadier General. Furthermore, His passion for boxing which he has pursued over time led to his election as the President of the Nigerian Boxing Federation in 2010, a position he still holds. He was honoured in 2014 as the Patron of the One Service One Medal Games by the Nigerian Olympic Committee. He enjoys road walks and watching documentaries. He is currently into private security consultancy and farming.