Azubuike Ihejirika Reflects on Fearless Upbringing

Azubuike Ihejirika, born on February 13, 1956, in Eluobai, Isukwuato, Abia State, Nigeria, shares insights from his upbringing and military career. His mother, who passed away in 2021, refused to allow him to have fetish marks, which she believed would protect him from harm and disease.

This decision shaped his character, instilling a deep sense of confidence and fearlessness. Ihejirika served as the Chief of Army Staff from September 2010 to January 2014, a period marked by significant security challenges in Nigeria.

He turned 70 years old yesterday and maintains that the Nigerian Army has the capacity to defeat the country's worsening insecurity. He recalls his childhood experiences, including his love for music and the influence of his family, particularly his father's advice on valuing relationships over material wealth.

His military career began in 1975, and he graduated from the Defense Academy in 1982, with his first posting in Maiduguri, a city known for its safety at the time.