Timothy Shelpidi

Timothy Mai Shelpidi (4 September 1948 – 2 March 2018) was a Nigerian general and diplomat, who served as the ambassador of Nigeria to the Russian Federation from 2008 to 2011. ^[1] A retired major general, he served as commander of the ECOMOG Peacekeeping Force in Liberia from 1998 to 1999, and was commander of the ECOMOG Peacekeeping Force in Guinea Bissau in 1997.^[2]

Major General Timothy Shelpidi
18 September 2008 Kremlin: Timothy Mai Shelpidi presents his letter of credentials to Dmitry Medvedev
Ambassador of Nigeria to the Russian Federation
In office 18 September 2008 – 14 October 2011
President	Umaru Musa Yar'Adua Goodluck Jonathan
Preceded by	Dan Suleiman
Commander, ECOMOG Peacekeeping Force, Liberia
In office January 1998 – March 1999
Preceded by	Maj-Gen. V.S.L. Malu
Succeeded by	Maj-Gen. Felix Mujakperuo
Personal details
Born	Timothy Mai Shelpidi (1948-09-04)4 September 1948 Kaltungo, Northern Region, British Nigeria (now in Gombe State, Nigeria)
Died	2 March 2018(2018-03-02) (aged 69) Abuja, Nigeria
Resting place	Boh, Gombe State, Nigeria
Spouse	Ruth Shelpidi
Alma mater	Nigerian Defence Academy
Occupation	Military officer politician diplomat
Military service
Allegiance	Nigeria
Branch/service	Nigerian Army
Years of service	1967–1999
Rank	Major General

Born on 4 September 1948, He enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 1967, he started his training at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and was commissioned a Regular Combatant Officer on 4 March 1970. Between 1990 and 1992, he was principal staff officer to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

After retirement, he went briefly into politics, contesting for the governorship of his home state of Gombe in 2003.^[3] He died on 2 March 2018, at the Federal Medical Center, Abuja, after a protracted illness, and was buried on 13 March 2018, in his home town of Boh, in Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State.^[4]

Qualifications and decorations

Shelpidi has attended various military courses in Nigeria and overseas.

• 1971: All Arms Tactics Course
• 1977 - 1978: Army Command and Staff Course.
• 1988: National Defence College, India
• He speaks English, Hausa language and Tangale language.
• He is married and has children.
• Pass Staff College (psc)
• MSC Defensce Studies
• Forces Service Star (fss)
• Meritorious Service Star (mss),

1973 he was Commanding Officer of the 124 Infantry Battalion. In 1996 he was MAJOR GENERAL (mss, psc, ndc), Chief of Research and Development In 1997, he was Commander of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group in Guinea Bissau. From 18 September 2008 to 14 October 2011 he administrated the Embassy of Nigeria in Moscow.^[5]