EDITORIAL:ADMIRAL USMAN JIBRIN CFR, Why everyone who served under GEJ should not be branded “Corrupt”

 
Why everyone who served under GEJ should not be branded “Corrupt”Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin was one of the many Nigerians who have served this country
selflessly and with utmost patriotism.  He is a man of outstanding leadership quality, a visionary
leader who understands the virtues of patriotic leadership.  His selflessness in service of his
fatherland was outstanding in many ways.  During his service days, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin
was a terror to the terrorist elements, especially those that sabotaged the economy of Nigeria
by stealing Nigeria Crude.
Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin was the first director to be appointed Chief of Naval staff.  He was a
director of training at CNS
As a sub lieutenant two years after his NDA, he dealt with economic sabboutours, while serving
under President Buhari as the then head of state with remarkable result.
He was elevated to the Chief of Naval Staff by Jonathan based on merit.  While at that, he
maintained his no-nonsense-stance and dealt a blow on the cartel that thrived in stealing Nigeria
Crude Oil. He was a celebrated terror in the midst of the oil thieves such that they severally
lobbied for retirement.
As a former Chief of Naval Staff,  he handed over 40 ships that were involved in illegal
bunkering and oil theft.  One of the ships carried 1 million barrels of crude at the price 140$ to a
barrel.  He arrested and handed over the culprits to the EFCC under Lamode .
A feat that was celebrated in Nigeria and beyond.  So far, that was the highest selfless service
anyone has accorded his fatherland.  Vice Admiral Usman Jibril did not compromise his position
and beliefs in pursuit of self-enrichment and self-aggrandizement.
During his era as the Chief of Naval Staff,  N4.9 billion Naira was released to Nigeria Navy NN
for capital project and another N4.9b paid for 2 offshore Operation Patrol Vessels  OPVs.
Much as it is expedient to get those who have held public offices accountable for their
stewardship, EFCC  should not brand every man who served under the former President
Goodluck Jonathan as a thief.  Such action kills morale of those who have served Nigeria and
those who are still in active service.  For those who have served and are being ridiculed in the
name of investigation, it leaves them with the belief that Nigerian is not worth sacrificing
anything for.
The antecedent of those who have served Nigeria at any high level should be paramount in the
course of getting them to account for their stewardship.  These include their achievements while
in office and their beliefs, norms and philosophy in life.
Nigeria Navy under the reign of Vice Admira Jubril commissioned 4 ships in February, 2015 at a
time namely NNS CENTINARY, NNS OKPABANA , NNS SAGBAMA AND NNS
PROSPERITY   So far, these were the highest commissioned in Nigeria Navy  history at once.  It
could be recalled that the last time Nigeria navy had a training ships NNS RUWAN YARO was
in 1981? Since 1981 there was no training ship until 2015 when NNS prosperity was designated
as training ship under the leadership Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin.
Contributing to his own home State, he influenced the establishment of the Navy Secondary
School in Kogi state to cater for the welfares of the Nigeria Navy Personnel in Naval Base
Lokoja.  This include another naval outpost in Idah and Onitsha.
The establishment of the Naval Outpost in Idah and Naval outpost Onitsha as a Navy Secretariat
were established under the leadership of Vice Admiral Ishaya Iko Ibrahim .
Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin arrested a decommissioned war ship brought into the country by
Tompolo and he personally arrested the ship while Jonathan was the president.  He is a man who
does not do anything out of fear or favour.  A firm disciplinarian.  A patriotic no-nonsense-Naval
Chief.
The decommissioned war ship was arrested on 14 December 2014.  Tompolo is a known close
ally of Jonathan , But Vice Asmara Usman Jibrin caring less about the relationship between the
former President and his kinsman prioritized national security over communal relationship that
existed or exist between former President Goodluck Jonathan and his kinsman Tompolo.
And to the chagrin of Vice Admiral Jibril, Jonathan hailed that singular courage and encouraged
him to do the needful to ensure Nigeria coastal safety.  He received several recommendation
from the former President for his outstanding leadership prowess and his no-nonsense-
dispositions.
President Jonathan commending Vice Admiral Jibril’s leadership position in dealing with
National Security once said
“NIMASA never gave Nigerians Navy under your leadership one Kobo for infrastructural
developments of the naval deport as contains in the existence MoU between Nigerians Navy
and NIMASA, still the Nigerian Navy worked satisfactorily with NIMASA under your able
leadership .
Why everyone who served under GEJ should not be branded “Corrupt”