Patriotism is a personal conviction; a patriot is always ready to risk everything to defend his country against any form of intrusion or any aggression, both internally or externally that may have negative impact on the country, though Nigeria as a country is experiencing some challenges, but there are some patriots who stand out and are ready to give everything to ensure not just safety of the people but enhance a peaceful atmosphere where the nation will prosper, democracy and good governance will thrive and the populace will enjoy the real dividend of democracy.
One of such men with undiluted patriotism and commitment to the Nigerian project is Ambassador (Lt General Rtd) Tukur Yusufu Buratai CFR , a former Chief of Army staff, ( COAS, Nigerian Army) and Former Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.
Amb Buratai, a brave and courageous military strategist who gained admission into the prestigious Nigerian Defense Academy Kaduna, as a member of the 29th Regular Combatant Course (29 RC) on 3rd January 1981, and on successful completion of his Officer Cadet training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 17th December 1983 into the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigeria Army.
With a resolute determination to defend the territorial integrity and everything about Nigeria, he rose to the position of the Chief of Army Staff, (COAS, Nigerian Army) in 2015 after serving and rising through the ranks .
Here was a Chief of Army Staff who came at the most difficult time in Nigeria’s history when the internal enemies were collaborating with the external actors to undermine the nation’s security architecture, sponsoring terror, wasting lives and promoting violent crimes. This was a time when these terrorist and criminal elements have literarily taken over some Local Government Areas, almost fifteen LGA’s in the Northern part, especially the Northeastern part of Nigeria, they were on the verge of making serious in roads into the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, where they were attacking public infrastructures, kidnapping for ransom, killing of innocent souls and others violent crimes, which was quite overwhelming.
Upon General Buratai’s appointment as the COAS and the leader of the Counter insurgency operations and within the over five years in office he was able to douse the tension, by leading the Nigerian Army from the front by dealing seriously and decisively with the terrorist and animals in human form and was able restore peace and normalcy to most troubled part of the Country. The Nigerian Army under his command was able to retake and liberate our lost territories, and various internally displaced persons were able to go back to their ancestral homes.
In a paper he presented at the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, Nigeria, Second Stanza 2023 National Public Lecture, the former Chief of Army Staff gave an insight into how he use the opportunity of his leadership position to influence positive changes in the Nigerian Army, “During my tenure as the Chief of Army staff , I focused on modernizing the Nigerian Army’s capabilities and adapting to the ever evolving nature of warfare, I spearheaded initiatives to enhance training programmes, improve equipment and promote innovation within ranks, These efforts not only bolstered the Army’s operational readiness but also ensured the safety and security of our Nation”.
Apart from his excellent achievement in combating the terrorists, and all other criminal elements who attempted to create a state within the Nigerian state.
Amb Buratai’s commitment to enhancing the capacity of the Nigerian Army afforded him the opportunity to set an unprecedented record as the Chief of Army Staff, (COAS, Nigerian Army), who used his tenure to boost Nigerian Army’s personnel welfare and facilitated many legacy projects for the Nigerian Army, some of which includes but not limited to the establishment of Nigerian Army University Biu, Borno State, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, Army War College, Abuja, Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Buni Yadi, Land Forces Stimulation Centre, the Army Command and NAOWA Hospital Abuja, Nigerian Army Women’s Corps, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches ( NAFRAL), and many others too numerous to mentioned.
Upon his retirement in 2021, General Buratai was appointed as Nigeria Ambassador to the Republic of Benin by Former President Muhammadu Buhari, his tenure in Benin Republic, witnessed positive impacts on the diplomatic mission between Nigeria and Benin Republic, he was able to promote Nigeria’s interests and strengthen the diplomatic ties between the two countries. Despite the fact that, he was new as an envoy, Ambassador Buratai navigated through the unfamiliar terrain with courage and his determination to always give his best to his country, and that helped him to sail through the hurdle of complex bureaucratic hurdles and diplomatic negotiations.
Ambassador Buratai did not enjoy smooth ride, through his journey of life, right from the childhood till he retired as Chief of Army Staff, with the rank of Lieutenant General in the Nigerian Army. His adversaries did not want him to grow and succeed in his undertakings especially during his tenure as Chief of Army staff, however, in spite of his various victories, the theatre of war appeared that time to the types that mocks victory. The attritional self destructive ventures of so many, even some in the military and expecially some highly partisan civilians who have no idea of how the military operates, this individuals persistently called for his head, they wanted him forcefully removed from office without providing a credible alternative means of combating the terrorism issues facing Nigeria as at that time, the giant strides of the Nigerian Army under General Buratai, rather than draw favourable reports from these characters, sadly this individuals and institution would rather engage in a campaign of calumny against Ambassador Buratai. But through the dint of hard work, patriotism, selflessness and coupled with his absolute faith in the Almighty Allah, he always emerges victorious against his adversaries.
But the good news is that today, the template he set, which made him to face the challenges, where he defeated terror and all other enemies of Nigeria, was not only effective. But, that template has been adopted by the subsequent and curent leadership of the Nigerian Army. His successors in office have continued on that path of greatness in bringing more lofty achievements, innovations and dynamism into the Nigerian Army from the cerebral General Farouk Yahaya, and now to the highly resourceful and gallant General Taoreed Lagbaja, Nigerian Army has continued to regain it’s rightful place as the pride of the black nation.
The Betara of Biu’s patriotism and genuine service to the nation has been widely acknowledged and this has brought forth a lot of acknowledgement, honours, laurels and awards to him both locally and internationally. Immediately after his retirement from service he was decorated with the National Honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) by Former President Mohammadu Buhari, of recent, the Nigerian Army University Honoured him with the Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa), Doctor of Letters, same with Igbinedion University Okada, Edo State, where he was confered with Degree of Doctor of International Relations and Strategic Studies, while the Nation’s Premier University, the University of Ibadan Alumni Association Worldwide also gave him their platform to articulate his view on public service and the imperatives for national security in Nigeria.
His contributions to nation building especially in promotion of peace, religious harmony and culture is also acknowledged by Nigerians across the all creed and divide and he has also been rewarded with various first class chieftaincy titles, which includes but not limited to the Aare Akinrogun of Ibadanland, Jagunmolu of Saki land, Baakore of Akure Kingdom, Balogun Agba of Owu Kuta, Garkuwan Keffi and more recently in his home town Biu, where he has been turbanned with the prestigious title, Betera of Biu ( one of the kingmakers) among others.
Though the retired army Chief and Former Ambassador is enjoying his retirement, but he is still much more active and always ready to give his best to serve Almighty Allah and Humanity.
This article was contributed by Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi, an entrepreneur and a civil society activist.
