Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Brigadier General Tukur Ismaila Gusau has assumed duty as acting Director Defence Information, Defence Headquarters with a charge to the media to avoid reports capable of affecting morale of troops and the credibility of the armed forces especially with the general elections around the corner.
Speaking at the brief handing over ceremony at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday, General Gusau commended his predecessor for creating better relationship with the media which helped to positively project the operations of the armed forces.
He called for stronger relationship between the military and the media on matters of national security.
“I urge you to provide the enabling environment for members of the armed forces of Nigeria to perform their constitutional roles without distractions.
“As the nation gradually approach the coming general elections starting from next month, I urge you to avoid reports capable of affecting the morale of our gallant troops and the credibility of our armed forces,” he said.
Maj.-Gen. Akpor, the former Director of Defence Information in his his speech tagged the “Truth About the Armed Forces of Nigeria” said the media and the military now have deep understanding of their responsibilities.
He said the Nigerian military has rich history of great exploits.
He said the Chief of Defence Staff had done so much in forging enduring relationship with the media.
Akpor said this was necessary because the media, like the military, has crucial role to play in creating peaceful and orderly environment for all citizens.
He commended the CDS for holding two media parleys with editors and media chief executives where fruitful discussions led to better understanding of the responsibilities of each profession in furtherance of national security.
He cited the North East where life has been returning to normal due to the efforts of the military after over a decade of insurgency.
According to him, there was bumper agricultural harvest in 2022, and for the first time in 13 years, Independence day parade was held in Maiduguri on Oct. 1, 2022.
Akpor, therefore, urged the media to extend the same support given him to his successor, for him to discharge his responsibilities effectively.
Until his appointment, Brigadier General TI Gusau was serving in the Army Headquaters Department of Special Services.
Brigadier General Tukur Ismaila Gusau, PhD mni, was born on January 9, 1969 in the city of Gusau, Zamfara State.
He was commissioned into the Nigerian Army after his cadetship training at the Defence Academy on September 25, 1993. He was posted to the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR).
He bagged a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto and a Master of Science degree in International Relations from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He also obtained a Diploma in Public Relations at National Institute for Public Information (NIPI) in Kaduna.
General Gusau attended University of Leicester, United Kingdom and bagged a Doctorate degree (PhD) in Management.
He attended several military and professional courses commensurate with his rank both at home and abroad. Notably among them are; Young Officer Course (YOC) Infantry, Jaji, Media Operations Course at Koffi Anan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) Accra Ghana, Logistics Management Course at the Nigerian Army College of Logistics (NACOL) Lagos, Strategic Communications and Public Relations Course at International School Of Communication London and Harvard Kennedy Strategic Leadership Course in the United States of America to mention but a few.
General Gusau held several military appointments both at home and abroad. Notably among them are; he was a Lecturer at the department of Political Science and Defence Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Army Public Relations Officer (APRO), 33 Artillery Brigade Bauchi, Army Public Relations Officer, 34 Artillery Brigade Owerri, Military Public Information Officer United Nations Mission in Liberia, Army Public Relations Officer, Guards Brigade Abuja, Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI), Lagos, Deputy Director Army Public Relations (DDAPR) 7 Division Nigerian Army under Operation (OPERATION ZAMAN LAFIYA) and was the Pioneer Media Coordinator, Theatre Command Operation (LAFIYA DOLE) in the North East. Until his recent appointment as the Acting Director Defence Information, he was the Acting Director Protocol Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes.
He was also the Public Relations and Liaison Officer to the former Honourable Minister of Defence, Brig Gen MM DanAli (retired). His service at the Ministry of Defence gave him the rare privilege to the insight and understanding of issues and factors that have shaped Nigeria’s Defence policy direction..
He was appointed a Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja. General Gusau proceeded to the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos where he attended Senior Executive Course 43 and was conferred with Member of National Institute, mni.
Apart from other published books and essays by General Gusau, he authored book titled A Collection of Speeches: Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali as a handy reference document on Defence and strategic studies to enrich knowledge and deepen understanding of Nigeria’s national defence policy thrust in the context of global peace.
In the course of his military career, he has the following honours and awards; Force Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), United Nations (UNMIL) Medal, Nigeria Silver Jubilee Medal, Nigeria Centenary Medal, Operation Zaman Lafiya Medal, Operation Lafiya Dole Medal, River Niger Medal, Fellow Nigerian Army Resource Centre and Member National Institute (mni).
