Col. Rabe Abubakar, has taken over from Major General Chris Olukolade as the Director of Information at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters.
Chris Olukolade left the seat after attaining 35 years of meritorious service in the military and is therefore preparing for his retirement which is due in September.
Olukolade’s era as military spokesman came with the major challenge of insurgency in some parts of the country.
Abubakar, who would now continue from where Olukolade stopped, is already appealing for cooperation, saying that only the collective effort of all Nigerians could finally put to rest the terrorism that had destroyed parts of the country.
He also promised to make himself accessible, available, responsive and proactive in relation to issues that have to do with the media and those whose duties include promoting the military in the country.
According to him, 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.
For him, his era would see a robust relationship with the press and other news outlets just as he promised to maintain the professional standard set by Olukolade and work to better the standard.
To ensure success, he said he would constantly tap from Olukolade’s knowledge.
Born on 7th April 1965, Abubakar hails from Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The holder of a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History, was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1989 further holding various other positions including Coordinator of Joint Media Centre at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force Operation in the Niger Delta; Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI) Lagos; and Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Nigerian Army Welfare Limited.
Courses he has attended include: Company Amphibious Course and National Defence College, China. His hobbies include Jogging, playing badminton and reading.
