The Nigerian Army has paid tribute to the late retired Lt.-Gen. Chikadibia Obiakor, describing him as an exceptional soldier and international peacekeeper whose career elevated Nigeria's profile in global security. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, stated this in a tribute at an Evening of Tributes organised by the Army in honor of Obiakor in Abuja on Saturday.
According to Shaibu, Obiakor's career was marked by professionalism, courage, intellectual depth, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the service of Nigeria and humanity. Obiakor was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1973 as a member of the 10th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
The late general distinguished himself in command and operational appointments both within Nigeria and international peace-support organisations. Shaibu said Obiakor's service reflected the highest traditions of the Nigerian Army and contributed significantly to strengthening Nigeria's reputation as a major contributor to global peace and security.
Obiakor commanded the ECOMOG Artillery Brigade in Liberia between 1996 and 1997 and played a significant role in coordinating the country's elections. He later became the first Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, providing strategic and operational leadership to the mission.
In 2008, then UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, appointed Obiakor as Military Adviser for UN Peacekeeping Operations at the UN Headquarters in New York. The appointment made Obiakor the first African to occupy the position and underscored the confidence reposed in his professional competence and leadership.
After his retirement from active service in 2011, Obiakor continued contributing to international peace and security. He undertook several important United Nations assignments involving conflicts in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Syria.
Obiakor led a UN special investigation into an incident in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2018 and later chaired the UN Secretary-General's Board of Inquiry into the destruction of humanitarian facilities in north-west Syria. The tribute was read on behalf of the COAS by the Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Maj.-Gen. Peter Okoye.
Key points
- Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu described Obiakor as an ambassador of the Nigerian Army whose accomplishments projected the competence, professionalism, and values of the service to the international community.
- Obiakor was the first African to be appointed as Military Adviser for UN Peacekeeping Operations at the UN Headquarters in New York.
- The late general continued contributing to international peace and security after his retirement from active service in 2011.
