By Aiyeku Timothy
President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed the nomination of Lt. Col. Yusuf Dodo as his Aide-De-Camp (ADC).
This has been disclosed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu.
This is after Buhari’s out-going ADC, Col. Mohammed Abubakar, was confirmed to attend a five-month course in Santiago, Chile from March 8 to July 30.
The course is a prerequisite for Abubakar’s next promotion to the rank of brigadier-general, expected to be carried out in the last quarter of this year.
However, Dodo, an Academy Adjutant of Nigerian Defence Academy is to under-study Abubakar for three weeks to learn the ropes of his new assignment, a presidential source said.
The new ADC was born on March 28, 1973 at Wusasa in Zaria.
”His father is from Kano State and his mother is from Edo State. He has an impressive educational background,” the source added.
The new ADC, a fellow of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, is married to Hajiya Fatima Musa Daura. He is blessed with children.
The outgoing ADC is a graduate of the Nigerian Military School, Zaria (from 1985 to 1990), where he developed early leadership skills and will be the longest serving ADC to a civilian president, having served in that position for almost six years by the end of February.
The presidency source described Abubakar as a tested and experienced commander, instructor, security manager and a talented investigator.
He is also the second longest-serving ADC in the history of the Nigerian armed forces after late Col. Walbe, who served Gen. Yakubu Gowon for nine years.
The 48-year-old ADC, who has served in various army units and formations within and outside Nigeria at different capacities, recommended his successor by nominating three seasoned and trustworthy army officers to Buhari.
The office of ADC to the president statutorily provides security and protects the president and his family in conjunction with other security agencies.
Customarily, the ADC attends to the personal needs of the president and other matters regarding his functions as head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Officers, who are nominated to be ADC to the president must be loyal and knowledgeable, have high moral standard, impeccable character and courage.
