Kenneth Minimah
Kenneth Minimah | |
|---|---|
| Chief of Army Staff | |
| In office 2014 – July 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Lt-Gen. A. Ihejirika |
| Succeeded by | Maj-Gen. T.Y. Buratai |
| General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Lagos Garrison Command | |
| In office 2010–2013 | |
| Preceded by | Maj-Gen E. Nwanjuma |
| Succeeded by | Maj-Gen O.A Umahi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 27, 1959 Opobo Kingdom, Rivers State, Nigeria |
| Relations | Felly Elimabha Minimah (Spouse) |
| Alma mater | Nigerian Defence Academy University of Ibadan |
| Awards | Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Nigeria |
| Branch/service | Nigerian Army |
| Years of service | 1977– |
| Rank | Lieutenant general |
| Unit | 81 Division |
| Commands | 149 Infantry Battalion |
| Battles/wars | Boko Haram Insurgency War |
Kenneth Minimah, CFR (born February 7, 1959) is a retired Nigerian infantry soldier and former Nigerian Army Chief of Army Staff (COAS).[1][2][3]
Early life
Minimah was born on 27 July 1959 in Opobo Kingdom, Rivers State, Nigeria.[4] He attended Township Primary School in Opobo between 1965 and 1971 and Baptist High School for his secondary education from 1972 to 1977. He later attended the College of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt.[5] He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy on 3 January 1979 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Corps of Nigerian infantry on 18 December 1981.[6] He obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in international studies and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in strategic studies from the University of Ibadan.[7]
Military life
He served at different levels in the Nigerian Army before his recent appointment as Chief of Army Staff (COAS).[8][9] He served as the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Commanding Officer of the 149 Infantry Battalion, Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Battalion 2, Commandant Officer of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry and as the Director of Standards and Combat Readiness.[10][11]
Medals and awards
He has been the recipient of several medals. He has received the Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR,[12] as well as several designations from the Nigerian Army, including the Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Forces Service Star (FSS), Passed Staff College Dagger (psc(+)), and the Distinguished Service Star (DSS).
References
- ^ "More retirement looms in the Army: Gen. Minimah tipped to succeed Gen. Ihejirika". DailyPost Nigeria.
- ^ "'Why Minimah became army chief'". The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper.
- ^ "Service Chiefs, Emefiele, Babalakin, Others Bag National Honours, Articles - THISDAY LIVE". thisdaylive.com.
- ^ "Rivers Gets First Chief Of Army Staff …As Jonathan Names Minimah, Three Other Service Chiefs - :::…The Tide News Online:::…". thetidenewsonline.com.
- ^ "General Minimah, his Opobo ancestry and the burden of history, By Eric Teniola - Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times Nigeria.
- ^ "Jonathan sacks service chiefs, appoints new ones". The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper.
- ^ "The task ahead of new Army chief, Minimah". peoplesdailyng.com.
- ^ "Jonathan sacks Ihejirika, other service chiefs". Vanguard News.
- ^ "Minimah, Jibrin, Amosu Appointed Service Chiefs, Articles - THISDAY LIVE". thisdaylive.com.
- ^ "Why Jonathan fired service chiefs". Vanguard News.
- ^ daniel. "Adopt New Strategies Against Boko Haram, COAS Urges Soldiers". INFORMATION NIGERIA.
- ^ "List of National Award recipients". The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper.