Personality Profile: General Christopher Gwabin Musa

The Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa was born on the 25th December, 1967 in Sokoto and hails from Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. He was granted regular Combatant Commission as a member of 38 Regular Course on 21 September, 1991 in the rank of Second Lieutenant with seniority in the same rank effective 21 September 1986. He is of the Infantry Corps and has attended several courses where he performed creditably. These courses include Young Officers' Course (Infantry Mechanical Transport Officers' Course, Regimental Signa Officer's Course and Junior Staff Course.

He has also attended the Senior Staff Course, Defense and Strategic Studies Course in China and the Combined Joint Land Component Task Force Commander's Course in the United States of America. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, a Diploma in Defense and Strategic Studies, an Advanced Diploma in Security Management and Master in Military Science from National Defense University in China. He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and Fellow of Disaster Management and Safety Science.

Lt. General Christopher Gwabin Musa proved himself as a professional soldier and earned his promotions as and when due. He was promoted to the enviable rank of Major General on 21st September, 2018. He has held several commands, staff and instructional appointments which include Platoon Commander at 192 Motorised Battalion, Company Second-in-Command at 81 Guards Battalion, Administrative Officer at 2 Division Camp, Adjutant at 195 Battalion, Staff Officer Grade Logistics at Headquarters 2 Division and Battalion Second-in- Command at 149 Battalion. He has also held the appointment of General Staff Officer Grade One Operations at Headquarters 81 Division, Commanding Officer at 73 Battalion, Assistant Director of Operations at army headquarters Department of Army Policy and Plans, Infantry Representative at Nigerian Army Armour School and Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations at Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre.

The erudite Senior Officer was also the Chief of Staff at Headquarters 2 Division, Commandant Depot Nigerian Army. Principal Officer Combat Arms at the Office of the Chief of Army Staff. Executive Director at Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited, Commander Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE and Chief of General Duties at Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army. Owing to his operational experience and intellectual prowess, he was appointed Director Campaign Planning at Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations, Director of Training at Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations, Senior Research Fellow at Nigerian Army Resource Centre and Theatre Commander Headquarters Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI. Before his appointment as the Chief of Defense Staff, he was the Commander Infantry Corps at Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre.

In recognition of his meritorious service, absolute dedication to the Nation and numerous exploits in various theatres of operations within and outside the country, he was bestowed with several honors and Medals. They include Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award, Grand Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Forces Service Star, Golden Jubilee Medal and the Centenary Medal. His sound academic acuity and exceptional intellectual competence earned him the Training Support Medal, Passed Staff Course and Fellow National Defense College in China.

His exemplary tactical command and leadership style likewise earned him the Command Medal and Field Command Medal of Honour. United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone Medal, Multi- National Joint Task Force Medal, General Operations Medal and the Nigerian Army Medal which is the highest award given to a Nigerian Army Officer who has exhibited exemplary dedication to the service of the Nation. Lt General Christopher Gwabin Musa is married and blessed with four children. His hobbies include reading, travelling, playing basketball, listening to music, making friends and service to humanity.

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At the Usosa National Education Summit held in Abuja at NAF Conference Centre and Suites on the 20th July, 2023. Below is the goodwill message of Lt. General C.G. Musa after receiving his award.

Permit me to uphold the already established protocols so that we don’t waste time. It is indeed a great honour bestowed on me this morning to be here, with the great family of USOSA. One of the fondest moments of my life was attending Federal Government College, Sokoto. I think we need to take a look at history so that we will be able to take a study of the history of Federal Government Colleges because growing up, I was made to understand that Federal Government College, Sokoto was second after Kings’ College, but from the narratives, I think it is different. So we need to take a look at it so that we can have a holistic narrative about Federal Government Colleges, but to say that, Federal Government Sokoto or USOSA generally is a united front and I am extremely happy to be a member of USOSA. This is because every community, every child, every tribe, every language, every religion is represented here. This is what Nigeria should be. Everywhere I am, I’m always proud to tell them that I attended Federal Government College because from there, I have learnt a lot, it has fashioned my lifestyle. Even in service that is what I’ve applied, and that is what has brought me to where I am today. So I want to encourage us, even though we have challenges in the country, we can make a difference, individually and collectively, we can make a difference. Please, let us continue to shine the light, let people know that Nigeria can be better and we can make that difference.

On behalf of myself, my family and all members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, I want to say thank you for this award. It will ginger me to do more. I want to also appeal that you please support the Armed Forces. Sometimes, it is painful when you hear a lot of negative things being said about members of the Armed Forces. These are people who have sacrificed their lives. I have told people severally times that for the first seventeen years of my marriage, I never spent 30 days with my family. I know of troops I have in Maiduguri that have been there for eighteen months and officers who have gone for a whole year without being able to see their families. They are sleeping in trenches whether it is rain, shine or anything, just to make sure that Nigeria remains one and united. Please, we should rather spend time to encourage them, even pray for them.

USOSA can move forward, it is not just about the meetings and seminars, we are in democratic dispensation now, who says you cannot form a party? I want to appeal, let it not be only seminars and meetings. We should go forward and make sure that we get to the helms of affairs of this Nation. I am sure when we get to the helms of Affairs, we can make that desired difference. Thank you very much.

By:Countdown