By Hosea parah, Abuja

A woman of Nigerian origin, Amanda Azubuike, was elevated from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to Brigadier General in the United States Army.

Azubuike, whose ancestry is connected to Nigeria, received her new rank during a ceremony held at a military installation in Fort Knox, Kentucky, in the United States.

General James Rainey, commander of the US Army Futures Command, said of Azubuike’s leadership abilities that she “makes everyone around her better.”

Azubuike, a citizen of the United States, was born to Nigerian parents in London, United Kingdom. She enrolled in the Army’s Aviation Officer Basic Course in 1994 to train as an aviator.

Before resuming her career in the Army as a public affairs officer, she worked in the aviation business for the next 11 years.

Azubuike previously held the position of Chief of Staff/Senior Military Advisor at the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Currently, he is a Deputy Commanding Officer at the US Army Cadet Command.

She previously held the positions of Director of Public Affairs at Joint Force HQs-National Capital Region/Military District of Washington and Chief of Public Affairs at United States Southern Command, Fort Lauderdale Area.

Azubuike also worked in public relations for the Washington Redskins, an NFL team, and as a communications consultant for the National Football League Players Association.

She also holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication/Media Studies from the University of Central Arkansas, a Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations/Corporate Communications from Georgetown University, and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.

After graduating the Army Aviation Officer Basic Course, Azubuike enlisted in the American Army in 1994 as an aviator.