ANULE EMMANUEL examines the role of an Aide-De-Camp to
the office of a Nigerian President and the choice of Colonel Ojogbane Adegbe,
the present occupant.
the office of a Nigerian President and the choice of Colonel Ojogbane Adegbe,
the present occupant.
More often,
people wonder what exactly is the role of the man who stands studiously behind
the President in public, aside providing just security protection. Aide-
De-Camp (ADC), as they are referred to in most countries, ordinarily serve as
personal assistants to a general officer. The use of Aide-de-Camp is really an
age long tradition associated with the military. Nigeria’s present democracy of
course, also inherited this system.
people wonder what exactly is the role of the man who stands studiously behind
the President in public, aside providing just security protection. Aide-
De-Camp (ADC), as they are referred to in most countries, ordinarily serve as
personal assistants to a general officer. The use of Aide-de-Camp is really an
age long tradition associated with the military. Nigeria’s present democracy of
course, also inherited this system.
While the
President as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is entitled to a military
officer as ADC, his deputy retains a police personnel in this seemingly
enviable position. Typically, the responsibilities of this officer to the
President cuts across; providing for the personal well-being and security, and
relieving the general officer of routine and time-consuming duties; preparing
and organising schedules, activities, and calendars; preparing and executing
trip itineraries; coordinating protocol activities; acting as an executive
assistant and performing varied duties, according to the general officer’s
desires.
President as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is entitled to a military
officer as ADC, his deputy retains a police personnel in this seemingly
enviable position. Typically, the responsibilities of this officer to the
President cuts across; providing for the personal well-being and security, and
relieving the general officer of routine and time-consuming duties; preparing
and organising schedules, activities, and calendars; preparing and executing
trip itineraries; coordinating protocol activities; acting as an executive
assistant and performing varied duties, according to the general officer’s
desires.
Colonel
Ojogbane Adegbe is the ADC to President Goodluck Jonathan, the last man
standing. He is really first among equals but a highly privileged officer in
the military who knows where the king’s horse-tail is kept. Combined with his
array of duties which are strategic, politicians see him as a powerful source
to get the President’s attention. A Mathematician and a holder of a Masters
degree in Intelligence and International Security, the strong built soldier is
perceived within the military circle as an upright and fine gentleman combined
with his ability to pick a needle with a shot. These qualities and military
prowess no doubt made him the preferred choice while the search for the
C-in-C’s aide de camp was on.
Ojogbane Adegbe is the ADC to President Goodluck Jonathan, the last man
standing. He is really first among equals but a highly privileged officer in
the military who knows where the king’s horse-tail is kept. Combined with his
array of duties which are strategic, politicians see him as a powerful source
to get the President’s attention. A Mathematician and a holder of a Masters
degree in Intelligence and International Security, the strong built soldier is
perceived within the military circle as an upright and fine gentleman combined
with his ability to pick a needle with a shot. These qualities and military
prowess no doubt made him the preferred choice while the search for the
C-in-C’s aide de camp was on.
As then Lt.
Colonel, Adegbe first showed up at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on May 6, 2010
for an interview, the day President Jonathan was sworn in as a substantive
President following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua. Besides criticisms
that the President’s use of an ADC under a democratic dispensation is old
fashioned, Nigeria is not alone. It is a worldwide tradition that the
President’s Aide-de-Camp comes from the military.
Colonel, Adegbe first showed up at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on May 6, 2010
for an interview, the day President Jonathan was sworn in as a substantive
President following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua. Besides criticisms
that the President’s use of an ADC under a democratic dispensation is old
fashioned, Nigeria is not alone. It is a worldwide tradition that the
President’s Aide-de-Camp comes from the military.
Indeed,
established democracies, and even the dictatorships, adhere to it. One
interesting thing is the fact that, the relationship between presidents and
their Aide-De-Camps is not different from that between a needle and the thread.
As the closest aide to the president, an aide-de-camp has his ears on very
important issues. Like obtained in other climes, Col. Adegbe is seen as the
third eye of the president as well as his seventh sense. Standing all times on
the watch behind the president in public, he cranes his eyes in all direction
and in no direction in particular just to observe and give his boss feedback on
the general perception about what he does.
established democracies, and even the dictatorships, adhere to it. One
interesting thing is the fact that, the relationship between presidents and
their Aide-De-Camps is not different from that between a needle and the thread.
As the closest aide to the president, an aide-de-camp has his ears on very
important issues. Like obtained in other climes, Col. Adegbe is seen as the
third eye of the president as well as his seventh sense. Standing all times on
the watch behind the president in public, he cranes his eyes in all direction
and in no direction in particular just to observe and give his boss feedback on
the general perception about what he does.
Aside other
security apparatus within the confines of the Presidential Villa such as the
Brigade of Guards, men of the Department of State Security, Defence
Intelligence, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the ADC and the Chief
Security Officer, every last point security for the number one citizen appears
to rest on him. One thing which the present Aide De Camp to the President is
known for within the Presidential Villa and to anyone who has come in contact
with him on the job is his calm, friendly but principled attitude to work.
security apparatus within the confines of the Presidential Villa such as the
Brigade of Guards, men of the Department of State Security, Defence
Intelligence, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the ADC and the Chief
Security Officer, every last point security for the number one citizen appears
to rest on him. One thing which the present Aide De Camp to the President is
known for within the Presidential Villa and to anyone who has come in contact
with him on the job is his calm, friendly but principled attitude to work.
At different
public functions, Col. Adegbe in the course of a speech or remark by the
President is sometimes seen dropping notes to alert his boss of either an
omission or merely to guard him against areas he should not afford to goof.
Fortunately for Adegbe, his principal acknowledges these qualities as well.
public functions, Col. Adegbe in the course of a speech or remark by the
President is sometimes seen dropping notes to alert his boss of either an
omission or merely to guard him against areas he should not afford to goof.
Fortunately for Adegbe, his principal acknowledges these qualities as well.
It was
therefore not a surprise with the array of top officers and politicians who
converged in the President’s office last year, November 11, 2013 when the ADC
was decorated with his new rank of a Colonel. Apart from ministers who attended
the ceremony, former Chief of Defence Staff, Ola Ibrahim, led other Service
Chiefs to the event. The National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd)
did not fail to attend. President Jonathan was joined by his vice, Namadi Sambo
and assisted by the officer’s wife, Oluwabukola, for the decoration. His
principal said of him: “I thank the Service Chiefs for finding time to be here
in this ceremony.
therefore not a surprise with the array of top officers and politicians who
converged in the President’s office last year, November 11, 2013 when the ADC
was decorated with his new rank of a Colonel. Apart from ministers who attended
the ceremony, former Chief of Defence Staff, Ola Ibrahim, led other Service
Chiefs to the event. The National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd)
did not fail to attend. President Jonathan was joined by his vice, Namadi Sambo
and assisted by the officer’s wife, Oluwabukola, for the decoration. His
principal said of him: “I thank the Service Chiefs for finding time to be here
in this ceremony.
You are a
privileged Colonel, otherwise they will not be here.” The President’s remark
came during the decoration ceremony of the ADC as colonel. “When you are
given higher authority, you are expected to perform according to your status.
We hope that whatever you have been doing very well, you will even do more,”
the President noted shortly after performing the ceremony.
privileged Colonel, otherwise they will not be here.” The President’s remark
came during the decoration ceremony of the ADC as colonel. “When you are
given higher authority, you are expected to perform according to your status.
We hope that whatever you have been doing very well, you will even do more,”
the President noted shortly after performing the ceremony.
Gallantly,
heavy built Adegbe now wears the new rank of a Colonel, what is fondly regarded
to as red neck officer. With his senior military rank, the ADC has the only
privilege among several other key principal staff of the President and rides in
the same limousine, sitting side by side with his boss and discusses important
issues at the pleasure of his principal.
heavy built Adegbe now wears the new rank of a Colonel, what is fondly regarded
to as red neck officer. With his senior military rank, the ADC has the only
privilege among several other key principal staff of the President and rides in
the same limousine, sitting side by side with his boss and discusses important
issues at the pleasure of his principal.
Adegbe is a
1995 graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy NDA, Kaduna, a member of the 42
Regular Course. He also attended the Kings College, London where he obtained a
Master’s degree. However, as influential as the office of ADC to the president
is said to be, occupants of this prestigious office are also at risk.
1995 graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy NDA, Kaduna, a member of the 42
Regular Course. He also attended the Kings College, London where he obtained a
Master’s degree. However, as influential as the office of ADC to the president
is said to be, occupants of this prestigious office are also at risk.
In some
countries, they are duty bound to die in the stead of their principal. As a
true soldier who is ready to die at his duty post, the ADC must be ready to lie
on top of the president or head of state and receive bullets on his behalf.
countries, they are duty bound to die in the stead of their principal. As a
true soldier who is ready to die at his duty post, the ADC must be ready to lie
on top of the president or head of state and receive bullets on his behalf.
But they say,
“you inhale smoke from making fire in the king’s furnace”, while the ultimate
goal is to serve, the expectation exist too that the gains of being close to
power, come with this distinguished privilege of ADC position which is the
reason for the perception of his high influence.
“you inhale smoke from making fire in the king’s furnace”, while the ultimate
goal is to serve, the expectation exist too that the gains of being close to
power, come with this distinguished privilege of ADC position which is the
reason for the perception of his high influence.
Culled from New
Telegraph
Telegraph
