Giwa-Amu, ex-ADC to Obasanjo, dies in auto crash

Chris Agbambu, Abuja - 19.02.2008

THE Army Headquarters was thrown into mourning on Monday following the death of the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Solomon Giwa-Amu. Giwa-Amu was on his way to the command and Staff College, Jaji, to deliver a lecture when he died in auto accident.

An eyewitness account told the Nigerian Tribune that the bus conveying the army chief had its front tyre burst and somersaulted several times. Another account said the bus was knocked off the road by an over-speeding golf car, and in the process, one of the front tyres was lost and the vehicle somersaulted several times.

The source said it was only General Amu who lost his life as the driver of the vehicle, one Corporal Muhammed, sustained minor injuries. Also in the vehicle were Directorate of Army Public Relations Photographer and one of their reporters.

The accident was said to have occurred befeore 7.00 a.m on Suleja-Kaduna road. Gen. Giwa-Amu was former aide de-camp to former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 to 2003. He was also a one-term Defence Adviser to the United Nations, and was promoted to Brigadier-General last December.

Giwa Amu was appointed the Director of Army Public Relations in August 2007 following the completion of his tour of duty in the United Nations.

His remains have been deposited at the National Hospital, Abuja, mortuary while the other occupants of the bus were taken to the same hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday expressed shock and sadness over the death of his former aide-de-camp, Brigadier-General Solomon Giwa-Amu.

“His death is an untimely elimination of a bright star, an officer and a gentleman, who had exhibited all the attributes of an officer who would make it to the top,” the former president told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).