President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded Lt.-Gen. TY Danjuma (rtd) for his devotion to his country and humanitarian causes.
The president stated this in a statement to congratulate the retired general who marked his birthday today.
The statement was signed by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity to, Malam Garba Shehu.
It read, “President Muhammadu Buhari extends best wishes to General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (Rtd) on the occasion of his 83rd birthday.
“On this important day, the President recounts General Danjuma’s record of service and dedication to the Nigerian Armed Forces as well as many other fields of endeavour in the country, thanking him for his lifetime devotion to humanitarian causes and kindness to the less privileged in the society.
“President Buhari prays almighty God to sustain the elder statesman with health and happiness in the years ahead.”
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Born Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma on December 9, 1938, the retired general is a Jukun from Taraba State.
He started his education at St Bartholomew’s Primary School in Wusasa and moved on to the Benue Provincial Secondary School in Katsina-Ala where he was the captain of the school cricket 1st XI team; he received his Higher School Certificate in 1958.
In 1959, TY Danjuma enrolled at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science, and Technology in Zaria (Ahmadu Bello University) to study history on a Northern Nigeria Scholarship.
However, by the end of 1960, Danjuma had left the university to enroll in the Nigerian Army.
He was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a second lieutenant but made captain three years after.
In 1966, Captain Danjuma was involved in the Nigerian Counter-Coup of 1966 with the 4th Battalion in Mokola, Ibadan. Oyo state In 1967, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel at the start of the civil war campaign towards Enugu, which was captured later that year.
Following his promotion to Colonel in 1971, he spent next two years with responsibility for court-martialling Army officers proven guilty of corruption and indiscipline.
In 1975 he was promoted to Brigadier and the position of General Officer Commanding (GOC), and in the following year, he became the Chief of Army Staff to the Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo.
He played a prominent role in supporting the president in resisting the Dimka Coup in 1976.
He retired from the Nigerian army in 1979.
Since his retirement, TY Danjuma has delved into private business with interest in shipping, oil and gas and other sectors.
He is regarded as one of Nigeria’s wealthiest men.