Lucky Eluonye Onyenuchea Irabor CFR psc NAM GSS ndc FCMH (born 5 October 1965)[1] is a retired Nigerian army general[2] and a former Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria. He was appointed by Muhammadu Buhari on 26 January 2021.[3][4][5]

Lucky Irabor
Chief of Defence Staff
In office
29 January 2021 – 23 June 2023
PresidentMuhammadu Buhari
Bola Tinubu
Preceded byAbayomi Olonisakin
Succeeded byChristopher Musa
Commander of TRADOC
In office
July 2020 – January 2021
Preceded byAbubakar Tarfa
Succeeded byStevenson Olabanji
Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force
In office
May 2017 – August 2018
Preceded byLamidi Adeosun
Succeeded byChikezie Ude
Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole
In office
March 2016 – May 2017
Preceded byHassan Umaru
Succeeded byIbrahim Attahiru
Personal details
Born (1965-10-05) 5 October 1965 (age 59)
Agbor, Mid-Western Region, Nigeria (now in Delta State)
Military service
Allegiance Nigeria
Branch/service Nigerian Army
Years of service1983–2023
Rank General

Background

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Irabor was born on 5 October 1965 in Aliokpu Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. He gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna as a member of the 34 Regular Course in 1983 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 28 June 1986 into the Signals Corps of the Nigerian Army.

Irabor attended military and civil courses both locally and abroad. He attended Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (AFCSC) for his Junior Staff Course in 1995 and Ghana Armed Forces Staff College, Teshi, Accra, Ghana for Senior Staff Course in 2000/2001 amongst others. He equally attended the National Defence College in Bangladesh in 2010 and Harvard Kennedy Schools of Government and Executive Education, the USA in 2012 and 2017 respectively. Irabor obtained a bachelor's degree in Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University[6] and holds two Masters Degrees from University of Ghana and Bangladesh University of Professionals, Dhaka.[7]

Early life and education

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General Irabor was raised in a military family and had his early education at the Nigerian Military School, Zaria. He later attended the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering in 1983.[8]

Awards

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In October 2022, a Nigerian national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Profile of the New Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor". PR Nigeria. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  2. ^ Agbakwuru, Johnbosco (5 March 2021). "Breaking: Buhari decorates new Service Chiefs". Vanguard. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  3. ^ Oamen, Samuel (26 January 2021). "Breaking: Meet new Service Chiefs". The Nation. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  4. ^ Olaniyi, Muideen (26 January 2021). "Buhari appoints new service chiefs". Daily Trust. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  5. ^ Ronke Sanya Idowu (26 January 2021). "Updated: President Buhari Replaces Service Chiefs | Channels Television". Channels TV. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  6. ^ a b Haruna, Abdulkareem (26 January 2021). "What to know about Lucky Irabor, Nigeria's new Chief of Defence Staff". Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Nigeria: Meet Nigeria's New Service Chiefs". Arise TV. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  8. ^ Gondo, Gondo L. (17 January 2023). "Irabor: A recipe for discipline and defense". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 August 2024.