The newly-appointed acting Director of Defence Information (DDI) of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Brigadier General Tukur Ismaila Gusau, officially resumed office on Tuesday.
After an official handover from the outgoing DDI, Major General Ohwonigho Jimmy Akpor, Brig. General Gusau charged all officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to be prepared to work harder.
Until his appointment, General Gusau was serving in the Army Headquarters Department of Special Services, while General Akpor has been moved to Army Headquarters as Director of Personnel Services.
#DHQUpdate
Handing Over Ceremony of the Appointment
of Director of Defence Information, from Major General OJ Akpor to Brigadier General TI Gusau. pic.twitter.com/vFP8zddpt6— DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) January 17, 2023
Gusau commended his predecessor for forging a better relationship with the media which helped to positively project the operations of the armed forces.
He also appreciated the media for the continuous support of the armed forces and called for a stronger relationship between the military and the media on matters of national security.
Gusau said: “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 approaches 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 assured journalists that the armed forces would assist them to discharge their duties where necessary.
He added that the military would also support other government agencies to achieve peaceful and credible elections across the country.
He said: “I urge you to offer me the same support, cooperation, and understanding that you have rendered to Maj.-Gen. Akpor as Director of Defence Information”.
Akpor said the media and the military now have a deep understanding of their responsibilities. He said the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) had done so much in forging an enduring relationship with the media.
He commended the CDS for holding two media parleys with editors and media chief executives where fruitful discussions led to a better understanding of the responsibilities of each profession in furtherance of national security.
General Gusau was commissioned into the Nigerian Army after his cadetship training at the Defence Academy on 25th September 1993. He was posted to the Directorate of Army Public Relations.
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 from National Institute for Public Information in Kaduna.
General Gusau was the Public Relations and Liaison Officer to the former Minister of Defence, Brig. General M M Dan Ali (rtd).
Apart from other published books and essays by General Gusau, he authored a book titled, A Collection of Speeches: Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali as a handy reference document on defence and strategic studies.
