Photo: The late Air Cdre Wapkerem Maigida
Breaking: Ex-NAF Spokesperson, AIr Cdre Maigida, is dead
A former Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Cdre Wapkerem Maigida, is dead.
The deceased who took over from Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet, as DOPRI on January 6, before he was redeployed to NAF headquarters, Abuja shortly thereafter, reportedly slumped and died on Sunday in Abuja.
Although NAF was yet to officially announce Maigida’s death at the time of filing this report, Group Captain Sadeeq Shehu (rtd), a former DOPRI, broke the news of Maigida’s death on his Facebook page on Monday.
He wrote: “I join the Chief of the Air Staff, officers and men and DOPRI personnel to mourn Air Commodore Wap Maigida. A dependable subordinate to his superiors and a compassionate superior to his subordinates.”
Maigida had handed over to Gabkwet as Commander 551 NAF Station Jos before assuming office of NAF Spokesmen in January.
The late Maigida was also a former Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to former Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Jonah Wuyep (rtd).
Air Cdre Maigida who is the 18th DOPRI, was a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
Former
A member of 42 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), he was commissioned into the NAF in 1995.
The late Maigida holds a Master of Science Degree in Security and Strategic Studies and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History both from NDA. He also obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations and Advertisement from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos.
Notable among the military courses attended by the deceased officer are the National Defence Course at the National Defence College, Nigeria, the Air War Course at Air Force War College, Makurdi, Benue State.
He also attended the Junior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna, and the Senior Staff Course at the Air Force Command College, Beijing, China.
The senior officer also attended the International Public Affairs Officers course at the Swedish Armed Forces International Centre in Sweden, Civil-Military Relations/Cooperation Course at Indonesian National Defence Forces.
The deceased officer also attended the Peacekeeping Centre, Indonesia and the Deputy Spokesman Course at the Joint Information Activities Group, Royal Air Force Base, Halton, United Kingdom.
He had also previously served as Commander, 551 NAF Station, Jos.
The late Cdre Maigida also served at various times as Acting Director and Deputy Director, Defence Information at Defence Headquarters, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information and Deputy Director Civil-Military Relations both at HQ NAF.
