Former Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi (rtd) is dead. Admiral Ogohi died in the early hours of Sunday in Nigeria’s capital Abuja.
He served as Chief of Defence Staff at the advent of democratic rule in Nigeria under President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999-2003.
Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau has confirmed the death.
He said, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun. With deep sorrow, I announce the death of Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi (rtd.), a former Chief of Defence Staff (1999-2003).
“He passed on in Abuja in the early hours of today. More details will be communicated later.”
Until his appointment as CDS, he was Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command (WNC)
Born on November 14, 1948, Admiral Ogohi was the first Nigerian Naval officer to serve as Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff and the first Naval Officer to reach four star rank in the Nigerian military under a democratic government.
He had his early education in St John’s College Kaduna from 1962 to 1966 and enrolled in Nigeria Defence Academy in 1967, passing out in 1970. He then went for his Midshipman course in United Kingdom in 1971 and technical course India in 1972, Underwater Warfare Course India in 1976 then the United States Naval War College Course in 1980 and in 1992.
He was Commanding officer Eken NNS France in 1982, Commander NNS Anansa in 1985 and Director, Administration, NDA>
In 1992, he was Directing Staff in National War College and later Deputy Commandant Armed Forces Command & Staff College, Jaji in 1995. He was a one-time Chief of Naval Plans at Naval Headquarters, Lagos.
The late Chief of Defence Staff hailed from Okura, Lafia in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.