NAVY GETS FIRST FEMALE ADMIRAL
The Nigerian Navy has announced the appointment of the first female naval Admiral (two star general) in the whole of West Africa, with the promotion of Commodore Itinu Hotonu to the rank of Rear Admiral.
Commodore Hotonu was among 11 Commodores elevated to the rank of Rear Admiral.
The officer elevated to the rank of Rear Admirals include; The Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Commodore J. A. Akinwale; Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters, Commodore A. O. A. Ikioda; Navy Secretary, Commodore O. B. Ogunjimi and Director of Logistics at the Defence Headquarters, Commodore Joe Aikhomu
Others include; Commodore I. E. Ibas, who is the Chief Staff Officer at Naval Training Command; Commodore G. E. Okoi; the Chief Staff Officer, Logistics Command, Commodore J. O Olutoyin; the Chief Staff Officer, Western Naval Command, Commodore I. A. Oyagha; the Chief Staff Officer, Eastern Naval Command, The Director of Development at the Defence Headquarters, Commodore J. N. Amaino and Commodore B. M. Mshelia, the Commander, Central Pay Office.
According to the naval spokesman, Navy Captain Kabiru Aliyu, who was also elevated to the rank of Commodore (one star general), 26 officers of the rank of lieutenant commander (major equivalent) were elevated to the rank Commanders (Lieutenant Colonels) while 30 Commanders where moved up to the rank of Captains (Colonel equivalent).
Also 33 Naval Captains were elevated to the rank of Commodores (Brigadier General equivalent).
The newly promoted Rear Admiral Itunu Hotonu would be the second female two star general produced by the Nigerian Armed Forces, after Major General Aderonke
Kale who retired in 1997.
Although, Kale rose from the medical corps of the Nigerian Army to become the Corps Commander, Hotonu also earned her rank as a logistics officer and an architect.
She is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Navy Post Housing Scheme.
Hotonu, had scored many first in the military, she was the first female military officer to attend the National Defence College in Nigeria.
Her performance at the National Defence College was outstanding and earned her the recommendation of becoming the first female officer to be recommended as a Directing Staff. She won the award for outstanding performance as Managing Director of the Nigerian Navy Post-Service Housing Scheme (NNPSHS), when the Navy celebrated its 54th anniversary.
Hotonu graduated as the best all-round student in a class of 73 students at the National Defence College, formerly National War College, Abuja between 2003 and 2004 as a member of Course 12.
Her recent promotion hadtaken her to the enviable hall of fame for female officers who scored first in the military, particularly United States Vice Admiral Carol M. Pottenger who is the deputy Chief of Staff for capability and development at the NATO headquarters.
Also promoted were Air Commodore P. C. Abel; B. B. Okunola; R. C. Pam; G. Truman, A. A. Malomo; F. B. Nyoyoko; A. G. Tsakr; E. N. Nzokala; C. T. Gudi. Others are B. M. Maiyafe; M. Umar; J. A. Gbamwuam; A.Y. Bello; S. B. Ribah; J. B. Adigun; M.C. Iloenyosi; K.O. George; G. M. Ilyasu; E. J. Ozoemena; A. A. Salau; E. O. Anebi; O. C. Oguejiofo; A Shehu-Othman; E. C. Akogu; B. C. Iyang; A. O. Ogunjobi; J. O. Azubuine; E. E. Agwungwu; N. A. Balogun; D.A.F. Adeluoye; M. A. Mohammed; S. A. Zakari; N. A. Sanusi; A. A. Balogun and L. S. Alao.