The United States Army last Friday promoted Amanda Azubuike, a British Nigerian, from Lieutenant Colonel to Brigadier General.
The ceremony, which was streamed live on the Army ROTC YouTube channel, was held at Fort Knox, Kentucky, US.
In her acceptance speech, Azubuike expressed gratitude for the honour to serve in the US Army in her new rank and pledged to give it her best.
“I recognise the gravity of this moment. I recognise the responsibility, the expectations, as well as the scrutiny that comes with this promotion,” she said.
“I also recognise the power of representation and the importance of diversity. I’m privileged to have benefitted from trailblazers and I’m committed to doing my part to leave a better path for those coming behind me.
“I’m honoured to be selected to serve at this level and feel fortunate to serve in my current position. I believe I can contribute here in a meaningful way.
“I joined the US military before I was even a US citizen. But I always knew this country was great, that it was worth fighting for. And that it is truly the land of opportunity. I’m very proud of my heritage, and my ethnic roots but I’m equally as proud to be an American.”
About Azubuike
Born in the UK to a Nigerian father and a Zimbabwean mother, she and her mother moved to the US shortly after her parent’s divorce “in search of better opportunities”.
Azubuike was first introduced to the US army when she was in her penultimate year in high school. She enlisted in the army national guard before becoming a citizen in 1989.
She enrolled in the US army in 1994, becoming an aviator after passing the army aviation basic course. After her eleven-year aviation career, she continued her career in the army as a public affairs and relations officer.
She currently serves as a deputy commanding officer at the US army cadet command, and previously served as chief of staff/senior military advisor at the office of the secretary of defence. She was also chief of public affairs at the United States southern command, Fort Lauderdale area, and the director of public affairs, joint force headquarters, national capital region/military district of Washington.
Azubuike has a bachelor of science degree in mass communication/media studies from the University of Central Arkansas; a master of arts in national security and strategic studies from the United States army war college; and a master of professional studies, public relations/corporate communications from Georgetown University.
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