By Dianabasi Effiong
Former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, CFR, will be the Keynote Speaker at this year’s edition of the Maris Annual Public Service Lecture series, Dr Fidelis Egugbo, the Secretary, Maris Trust Council (MTC), the organisers of the event, made this known Tuesday in Warri.
He said, ”It is a thing of joy to announce to the public, especially loyal participants of the Maris Annual Public Service Lecture series, that former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, CFR, has accepted to be the Keynote Speaker at this year’s lecture.
”Gen. Irabor confirmed that he will personally be at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Noon prompt to speak on a topic to he be unveiled to the public in a few day’s time.
”We thank the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, PhD, for supporting the Maris Annual Public Service Lecture series.
“It is a thing of joy that Governor Oborevwori has made Delta more conducive for hosting international discourse, tourism, and other business activities.”
He added that the Governor also approved the prestigious Unity Hall at Government House, Asaba, as the venue for the 2026 lecture.
”We are also grateful to the public, who suggested 64 topics and nominated 33 persons to be the Keynote Speaker.
“From your suggestions, Gen. Irabor emerged as the speaker, and his topic will be selected from those you proposed.
”Your interest in proffering solutions to the challenges of society can only be rewarded by God.
“From us at MTC, we say thank you, and we look forward to your active participation on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
”Kindly understand that we can only select one Keynote Speaker and one topic for discussion, though we greatly appreciate all your suggestions and follow-up activities.
“Continue to pray and work for a better society because, collectively, we can leave the world better than we found it,” Egugbo said.
The profile of Gen. Irabor, abridged from the Nigerian Military Gallery, showed that
General L.E.O. Irabor was born on October 5, 1965, in Aliokpu, Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State.
He attended the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1983 as a member of the 34 Regular Course and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1986 into the Signals Corps of the Nigerian Army.
Irabor holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and two Master’s degrees from the University of Ghana and Bangladesh.
Gen. Irabor played a significant role in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency and other security threats.
As the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Irabor was known as the “Boko Haram nemesis” due to his courage and determination in tackling the insurgents.
Under his guidance, the Nigerian Army reclaimed various occupied territories.
He also planned and executed operations that led to the clearance of the Sambisa Forest, a notorious insurgent hideout.
On Jan. 26, 2021, Irabor was appointed as the 17th Chief of Defence Staff, the highest-ranking military position in Nigeria.
He received numerous awards for his exceptional service, including a national honour in 2022. He retired on June 19, 2023.
