Suraj Abdurrahman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Suraj Abdurrahman
CON
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| Command Officer in Charge of the Armed Forces of Liberia | |
| In office 6 June 2007 – 11 February 2014 |
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| President | Ellen Johnson Sirleaf |
| Preceded by | Maj-Gen. Luka Yusuf |
| Succeeded by | Maj-Gen. Daniel Dee Ziankhan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Suraj Alao Abdurrahman
9 September 1954 Kaduna, Northern Region, British Nigeria (now in Kaduna State, Nigeria) |
| Died | 28 January 2015 (aged 60) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Education | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Nigeria |
| Branch/service |  Nigerian Army |
| Rank |  Major general |
Suraj Alao Abdurrahman CON (born September 9, 1954 – died January 28, 2015) was a very important general in the Nigerian Army. He was known for leading the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) as their Command Officer in Charge. He worked closely with the former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
President Johnson Sirleaf once said that General Abdurrahman was an "exceptional gentleman officer." She noted that his work helped make the Liberian military much stronger and more professional. He also helped them become good at UN peacekeeping missions.
Contents
General Abdurrahman's Life Story
Suraj Abdurrahman was born in Kaduna, a city in Nigeria. He went to primary school there. Later, he attended Keffi Government College for his secondary education. He did very well, graduating with high marks in 1972.
After high school, he went to Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria. In July 1973, he joined the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna. This academy trains future military officers.
Starting His Military Career
In 1975, he became a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers. This was the start of his long and successful military career. He held many different leadership roles. He also worked as an instructor and staff officer both in Nigeria and other countries.
In January 2007, he became the Chief of Policy and Plans for the Nigerian Army. This was a very important job. From this position, he was chosen to lead the Armed Forces of Liberia.
Leading the Liberian Army
General Abdurrahman took command of the Liberian Army on June 6, 2007. He led them until February 11, 2014. At that time, he handed over command to a Liberian officer. His leadership helped the Liberian military grow and improve a lot.
His Education and Training
General Abdurrahman was a very educated person. He attended many military and civilian courses. He studied at the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineers. He also went to the Nigerian Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC).
He also graduated with high honors from the National War College. Besides his military training, he earned a bachelor's degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 1979. He then got a master's degree in 1981. In 1985, he earned a PhD from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland.
His Passing
General Suraj Abdurrahman passed away on January 28, 2015, in New York City. The President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, sent her deepest sympathies to the Nigerian government. He was survived by his wife, Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, and their four sons: Surajudeen, Abduljabbar, Abdulaziz, and Abdulmalik.
Awards and Recognitions
General Abdurrahman received many important awards for his service. In 2014, the Nigerian President gave him the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
He also received the "Knight Commander" award from the President of Liberia in 2014. In 2007, he received the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) from Nigeria. In 2009, he was given Liberia's highest military honor, the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
Important Roles He Held
Throughout his career, General Abdurrahman held many significant positions:
- GSO 3 Training, HQ Nigerian Army Engineers, Lagos (1976-1977)
- Staff Officer Architecture Army HQ, Lagos (1981-1983)
- Instructor, School of Military Engineering, Makurdi (1986-1988)
- Commanding Officer, 21 Support Engineer Regiment, Kaduna (1989-1991)
- Military Observer, UN Iraq Kuwait Observer Mission (1991-1992)
- Commanding Officer, 13 Field Engineer Regiment, Jos (1992-1993)
- Directing Staff, Command & Staff College, Jaji (1993-1995)
- Directing Staff, Ghana Command & Staff College, Teshi (1995-1997)
- Colonel Personnel Services, Army HQ, Lagos (1997-1999)
- Commander, 43 Engineer Brigade, Jos (1999-2000)
- Director Army Real Estate, Army Engineer HQ, Lagos (2001-2002)
- Directing Staff, National War College, Abuja (2002-2004)
- Director of Operations, DAOPs (AHQ), Abuja (2004)
- Director of Policy (2005)
- Chief of Army Standards and Evaluation (2006-2007)
