The Defence Headquarters yesterday named Rabe Abubakar, a colonel as its new director of information.
He replaces Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, who has attained the retirement age of 35 years in the military.
Gen. Olukolade, who is proceeding on retirement, remains in active service till September.
Addressing newsmen shortly after taking over, Col. Abubakar said he was aware and conscious of the security challenges in the country as well as the need for collective efforts to confront it.
He said: “There is absolute need for synergy of efforts and collaboration among all stakeholders to re-strategise in the area of information collection, management and determination in counter terrorism and insurgency.”
The new director of information promised to make himself readily accessible, available, responsive and proactive in dealing with the media and other partners in the course of promoting military/media relationship.
He promised to maintain excellent and robust relations with the media and rally every organisation to support Armed Forces operations and activities.
Col Abubakar reiterated his intention to adopt positive measures in his resolve to promote excellent civil/military relations, thereby gaining public understanding and goodwill for troops in the theatre of operations.
He promised to maintain the professional standard set by his predecessor, and even work hard to improve upon it by tapping from his wealth of experience and knowledge from time to time.
Col Abubakar was born on April 7, 1965. He hails from Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
On completion of his secondary education, he proceeded to obtain his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and was later commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1989
