Abdulsalami Abubakar, retired soldier and former head of state, 76, June 13. Born in Minna, Niger State, he was educated at the Native Authority Primary School, Minna, 1950-1956; Provincial Secondary School, Bida, 1957-1962; Technical Institute, Kaduna, 1963-1966; Infantry Officers Course, USA, 1975-1976.

He was appointed infantry corps officer, Nigerian Army 1977; member, United Nations peace keeping force, Lebanon, 1978-1979; chief of policy and plans, Nigerian Army, 1991-1993; chief of defence staff, 1995-1998; head of state and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, 1998-1999.

He was also appointed United Nations special envoy to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2000. He holds the traditional titles of Wali of Minna and Makama of Wushishi.

– Jun 8, 2018 @ 19:27 GMT |