The Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)Gen.Christopher Gwabin is the has been voted for as the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient of the Year’ by Nigerians both at home and in Diaspora.
He emerged first place following his online nomination by members of the general public as monitored and confirmed by the Nigeria Service Awards panel of jury which commenced on the 14th through 24th September, 2023.
Consequently, this prestigious Award will be presented by the COA Media Group; organizers of the Nigeria Service Awards at a ceremony slated for 23rd November, 2023, at the National Press Centre, Radio House, Abuja.
Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa who is the 18th Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Federal Republic of Nigera,was born on the 15th of December, 1967 in the North-Western part of Nigeria; Sokoto. He is indigenously from Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna, Nigeria.
In 1974, Gen. Musa attended Marafa Danbaba Primary School Sokoto, and left to Model Primary School Dorowa Road Sokoto in 1978 where he remained until 1980. He also underwent training in a Vocational Training Centre in Gaummi, Sokoto between 1980 and 1981, after which he enrolled into Federal Government College, Sokoto, completing his O’levels in 1985. He was part of the National Cadet Corps while enrolled there. Then he got admitted into the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, and was there until 1986.
In 1986, he was enrolled into the Nigerian Defence Academy, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (Hons) on graduation in 1991 and got commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a 2nd Lieutenant.
In September 1991, he enrolled as a member of the 38th Regular Course 21 in the Nigerian Defence Academy and underwent a Mechanical Transportation Officers Course in 1992.
In 1993, Musa went through the Young Officers Course in Infantry, the Regimental Signal Officers Course in 1998, and 2000, a Junior Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji. Between 2004 and 2005, he went through a Senior Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji. Between 2007 and 2008, he earned an Advanced Diploma in Security Management from University of Lagos.
Between 2012 and 2013, Musa obtained an Advanced Diploma in Defence and Strategies Course, and a Masters of Science (Military Science), International College of Defence Studies, National Defence University (ICDS- NDU), Changping, China.
In 2017, Musa went through a Combined Joint Land Component Commander’s Course on Leadership, US Army War College.
In his career pursuit, Musa was the General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division. He also held the positions of Commanding Officer 73 Battalion, Assistant Director Operational Requirements at Department of Army Policy and Plans, Infantry Representative/Member Training Team at HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.
In 2019, he was also the Deputy Chief, Staff Training/Operations, headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps, Commander Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole, Commander Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Tchad Region.
In 2021, Musa was the Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai. He served as the Commander, Nigerian Army Infantry Corps, which was his last position before being appointed as the Chief of Defense Staff.
He also attended some operations during his journey in the military, and they include:
OP MESA, OP SECOND HEAVEN, OP FOCUS RELIEF (Joint Training/Ops with the US Troops)in 2000, United Nation Mission in Sierra Leone from 2001 – 2002, OP HAKURI from 2002 – 2003, OP SAFE CONDUCT in 2007, OP RESTORE HOPE from 2007 – 2008, OP SAFE CONDUCT in 2015, OP LAST HOLD in 2018, OP LAFIYA DOLE in 2019, Multi-National Joint Task Force Lake Tchad in 2019, OP KANTANA JIMLAM in 2020 and the JTF (NE) Op HADIN KAI from 2021 till date.
Owning to his unrelenting contribution to the defense sector, he received several awards and honors, some of which are:
The Meritorious Service Star in 2009, General Operation Medal in 2009, Distinguished Service Star in 2015.
The Colin Powel Meritorious Award for Soldiering and The African Youths Initiative For Good Governance and Peace honored him with the Nelson Mandela Exemplary Leadership Award for his outstanding contributions to peace keeping, and protection of the Nation’s territorial integrity, just to mention a few awards and honors he has received in the past.
The prestigious Nigeria Service Awards; Third in a row, is held annually and It recognizes, honours and promotes outstanding individuals and institutions across both the public and private sectors, scoring excellence and outstanding performance in the political, social and economic spheres of the country particularly by those whose endeavors have largely impacted the country positively in the year under review.
