31st January, 2021
By Ismaila Chafe
President Muhammadu Buhari has released his long-serving aide-de-camp Mohammed Abubakar and accepted Lt. Col. Yusuf Dodo as his replacement.
Abubakar, like the service chiefs sacked last week, will by the end of February be the longest serving ADC to a civilian president, having served in that position for almost six years.
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.
He is now billed to attend a five month training programme in Santiago, Chile from March 8 to July 30.
The course is a prerequisite for his next promotion to the rank of brigadier-general, expected to be carried out in the last quarter of this year.
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 president picked Dodo, an Academy Adjutant of Nigerian Defence Academy.
Dodo is to under-study Abubakar for three weeks to learn the ropes of his new assignment, a presidential source told NAN correspondent.
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, have high morale standard, impeccable character and have courage and be knowledgeable.
The presidency source described Abubakar as a tested and experienced commander, instructor, security manager and a talented investigator.
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.
Abubakar attended the Nigerian Military School, Zaria from 1985 to 1990, where he developed early leadership skills.
The new ADC, a fellow of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, is married to Hajiya Fatima Musa Daura. He is blessed with children.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, when contacted confirmed the appointment of the new ADC.