Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has celebrated the 70th birthday of the Abia-born, first Igbo Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Onyeabor Ihejirika, CFR.
Speaking at the birthday celebration ceremony held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, described General Ihejirika as a patriot, Pan-Nigerian, fine gentleman, and a courageous general, who served Nigeria as the Chief of the Army Staff at a very turbulent period in the war against insurgency and proved himself very credibly.
The President, represented by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Kingsley Ude, noted that Lieutenant General Ihejirika was the last service Chief of Southeast extraction before his administration came into office and appointed Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogala and later, Air Marshal Sunday and Aneke.
“We appreciate that for the nation to surmount its security challenges, it behoves the leadership to engage the best hands from every part of the country.” President Tinubu stated.
The President prayed to God to continue to keep and grant him good health so that Nigeria would continue to draw from his fountain of experience and knowledge, especially in the determined fight against insecurity.
The host and Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, while wishing the celebrant a happy birthday, explained that he is intentional in celebrating Lt. Gen. Ihejirika.
“I want to thank General Ihejirika, a man we are very proud of. We intentionally wanted to celebrate his birthday with these landmark projects (commissioning of the new Omenuko bridge and the 30 kilometres Abam – Arochukwu road).
“We are celebrating him because he’s a man who said no to the statutory treaty. What people had accepted…
“Yes, we appointed him to chair the Abia State Security Council. We appointed him on merit. And he’s doing the job very well. If you are in doubt, go and check what has happened in this State in the last 32 months. Compare it with what happened elsewhere, ” Gov. Otti stated.
Also, the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi described Ihejirika as a family friend, a perfect gentleman and commended him highly for his contributions to Nigeria.
He called on all to support Governor Otti for the works he is doing and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his good leadership.
In their goodwill messages, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, former Chief of Army Staff, General Muhammad Dambazua, General Alex Ogbomodia, among many others, said that Lt. Gen Ihejirika is a proud son of Igbo land and a thoroughbred professional that is worth celebrating.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd ), while applauding Governor Otti for celebrating Lt. Gen. Ihejirika, saluted the contributions of Lt. Gen. Ihejirika to the security development of Nigeria and wished him a happy birthday.
In a vote of thanks, the celebrant, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Onyeabor Ihejirika
thanked God for his life and recalled how he picked interest in joining the military.
He equally took time to thank some of his mentors and colleagues in the military, including General Ike Nwachukwu and General Musa, among others, and
recounted his various experiences and returned all thanks to God
He said that some of the things Governor Otti is doing are not physical infrastructure, saying that he is doing more than that.
Lt. Gen. Ihejirika revealed that when Governor Otti came on board, the security men in Abia were being owed 7 months’ allowances, but the Governor cleared it and has maintained a good relationship with the security agencies in the State.
The birthday ceremony featured a lecture on “THE ROLE OF LEADERSHIP IN STRENGTHENING NATIONAL SECURITY AND GOVERNANCE” presented by former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, and the cutting of the birthday cake by the celebrant, flanked by his wife, Mrs Nnenna Ihejirika and many guests, with cultural displays.
The birthday ceremony attracted many Military Chiefs, both serving and retired, the wife of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, top government officials in Abia State, traditional rulers, clergymen, and people of Isuikwuato, among many others.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
February 14th, 2026.
