Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi
Thomas "Tom" Aguiyi-Ironsi is a former Minister of Defence of Nigeria. He is the son of former military leader Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi,[1] and was the ambassador to Togo before former President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him to succeed Roland Oritsejafor as Defence Minister.[2] Aguiyi-Ironsi is from Umuahia, Abia State.[1]
While Aguiyi-Ironsi was ambassador to Togo, the choices to replace the outgoing Foreign Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, were reportedly narrowed down to him and Joy Ogwu.[1] However, after Obasanjo fired Oritsejafor, Aguiyi-Ironsi received the job of Defence Minister while Ogwu became foreign minister. The two were sworn in on August 30, 2006.[2]
On January 24, 2007, Aguiyi-Ironsi announced that Nigeria would send a battalion of peacekeeping troops to Somalia.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 Elendu, John (2006-08-07). "Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: Tom or Joy". Elendureports.com. Retrieved 2007-01-25.
- 1 2 Nwankwere, Lucky; Molly Kilete (2006-08-31). "Obasanjo drops Defence Minister…Aguiyi-Ironsi's son takes over". Online Nigeria. Retrieved 2007-01-25.
- ↑ "Nigeria to send peacekeeping battalion to Somalia". reuter.co.uk. Reuters. 2007-01-24. Retrieved 2007-01-25.
| Preceded by Rabiu Kwankwaso |
Minister of Defence of Nigeria August 30, 2006 – July 26, 2007 |
Succeeded by Yayale Ahmed |
| Ministers of Defence |
|  |
|---|---|---|
| Ministers of State for Defence (junior minister) |
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External links
- April elections, a big challenge - Military, Nigerian Tribune