Eminent Award Of Excellence To An Illustrious Living Legend, Buratai
” What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead” – Nelson Mandela
The exemplary life and acts of the former Chief of Army Chief, Lt. General Yusufu Tukur Buratai (CFR) as a General, Diplomat, Philanthropist and politician were brought to the fore this week.
First, a first of its kind Children’s book and animation known as The Legend of Buratai that portrayed the Buratai as a General who is a line crosser, barrier breaker, record breaker and a soldier of Soldiers worthy of emulation was launched on Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 in Abuja.
Authored by an eminent scholar, Dr. Abubakar Mohammed Sani, the well attended book launch was full of remarks, commendations and attestation of the life of General Buratai as a man of character who rose to legendary status by dint of hardwork, bravery, diligence, Excellence and honesty.
Infact, the school children who attended the public presentation departed the event with mind-blowing accounts of the retired army chief and former Ambassador of Nigeria in Benin Republic and would love to be like him.
Incidentally, the following day, Wednesday 23rd, 2022, former Borno state local government chairmen Forum also paid him a courtesy visit and publicly pitched their tent with him as a leader worthy of emulation. Led by the forum’s chairman, Alhaji Malum Bulin, they started that they have been looking for a chance to express their admiration for his bravery in leading Nigeria, especially their Borno state out of the dangers of terrorism. The height which left almost all of the local governments in the state vacant. That is also the time when he (Buratai) assumed command of the Nigerian Army. According to them, Buratai, who headed the Nigerian Army from 2015 until his retirement in 2021, has come to symbolize bravery. When he intervened to save the state, the Boko Haram insurgency was extensive and thick. As he began visiting one town and hamlet after another to brighten the faces of those hoping for tomorrow, it was a chilling scene with many worn faces.
The forum also claimed that that the second reason they came was to pitch their tent with him politically. According to them, General Buratai, who has successfully led an army through numerous battles and emerged victorious, will also make a good political general who can give the people of Borno state and Nigeria guidance in the nation’s expanding political landscape.
The Icing on the cake was the visit of the National Forum of former councilors from Nigeria’s 774 local government on Thursday, November 24th, 2022 which incidentally tallied with his 62nd Birthday. The forum presented the former Army Chief with a Prestigious Award, identifying him as a Philanthropist per Excellence for the calendar year 2022.
The National Councilor’s Forum, under the leadership of its President, Amb. Hon. Auwal Kassim Hassan, informed the former Army Chief that they are there to demonstrate their loyalty to him and to commit themselves to whatever course he decides to take in politics with the remainder of his strength reserved to serve Nigerians more directly as a politician.
“As we all know, General Yusuf Tukur Buratai is well-liked in Nigeria. Our choice to support him on this political journey is zealous and responsible. Buratai is a man who sacrifices everything for the sake of the rest of us and has always operated in the best interests of the populace. We are bringing to light the unsung heroes who contributed to the total liberation of our people. He had served the people’s strong desire to make sure that they were formed on the appropriate character as a young officer.
“He defended the integrity of the Nigerian state by standing against an undetermined number of forces as leader of the Nigerian Army. He is standing alongside President Muhammadu Buhari as a politician to support distinctive leadership. The gathering today for a brief ceremony and award presented for his philanthropic positions as a man the Nigerian state is pleased with was influenced by all these contributions, which are too numerous to name.”
“While some leaders act as if tomorrow will never come, there are still a select few people whose contributions to the sociocultural, economic, and political environment continue to be of the highest caliber. Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, who presided as the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021, is one of such figures in Nigeria today.’ he concluded.
