General Gusau, Newly Appointed Acting DDI Takes Over Office, Seeks Media Support

General Gusau, Newly Appointed Acting DDI Takes Over Office, Seeks Media Support

The new acting Director Defence Information of the Defence Headquarters Brigadier-General Tukur Ismaila Gusau, has pledged to sustain the existing robust relationship between the military and the media.

Gusau who was inaugurated in the presence of other senior officers, representative of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) governing  body, charged officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces of Nigerians to prepared to work harder.

He made the appeal while taking over from the outgoing DDI, Major-General Oluwonigho Jimmy Akpor who processed to his new office at the Nigerian Army Headquarters held at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, he said the media is a key player in any aspect of our nations development. Therefore, I consider you as my key publics in the discharge of my duties.

His word: “As the new acting DDI, The power of media can go a long way in finding solutions to some of the security challenges our gallant troops are curtailing.

“I urged you to provide the enabling environment for the Armed Forces of Nigeria to perform their constitutional roles without distractions.

“As the nation gradually approaching general election starting from next month. I appeal to you to avoid reports capable of affecting the moral of our gallant troops and the credibility of Armed Forces as we work towards supporting other government agencies to achieve this free and credible election across the country as partners in progress.

The outgoing spokesman expressed gratitude to all media partners for their support during his tenure in office.

The new DDI, until his appointment, was from Army Headquarters Department of Special Services.

Born on January 9, 1969 in the city of Gusau, Zamfara State.

Gusau 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.

It may interest you to know that General Gusau attended University of Leicester, United Kingdom and bagged a Doctorate degree (PhD) in Management.

The senior officer has 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.

It is important to let you know that, General Gusau was 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).

It may interest you to know that General Gusau is a member of the following reputable professional bodies; Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Harvard Centre Environmental Research and Education, United States of America and Leicester Centre of Environmental Protection and Sustainability, United Kingdom.

By PRNigeria