UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday commended Maj.-Gen. Moses Obi of Nigeria for his momentous contribution as Force Commander of the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS).
Ban’s commendation is contained in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Martin Nesirky, in New York to announce the appointment of Maj.–Gen. Delali Sakyi of Ghana as the new Force Commander of UNMISS.
Obi, who completed his assignment on Nov. 18, had served both the UN Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) and UNMISS.
He was the first Force Commander of UNMISS since its establishment on July 9, 2011.
“The secretary-general is grateful for his significant contribution to both missions over the past two years and seven months.
“The critical period saw the successful conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM).
“It also witnessed the peaceful holding of the Southern Sudan self-determination referendum and the birth of a new nation,’’ Ban said.
Before joining UNMISS, Obi had served in different peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Chad and Sudan.
He was once the Chief of Training and Operations, Army (CTOP’A’) at the Army Headquarters in Abuja and he had also served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army.
Obi, who hails from Oku-Bushuyu in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River, attended the Nigerian Military School, Zaria, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.
The two-star army general had, since his commission into the Nigerian Army, attended several military and civil courses at home and abroad.
He had also held command, staff and instructional appointments at various levels. (NAN)