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. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Elendu, John (2006-08-07). "Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: Tom or Joy". Elendureports.com. Retrieved 2007-01-25.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nwankwere, Lucky; Molly Kilete (2006-08-31). "Obasanjo drops Defence Minister…Aguiyi-Ironsi’s son takes over". Online Nigeria. Retrieved 2007-01-25.
  3. ↑ "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

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