President Of The University Of Ibadan Alumni Association Affirms Buratai As Ambassador Of Good Public Service Delivery, National Security

The President of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA) worldwide, Pro. Saawua Gabriel Nyityo has reaffirmed the association’s assertion that Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Yusufu Buratai is the epitome of a good ambassador of public service delivery and national security.

Professor Saawua Nyityo stated this during his opening remarks at the 2nd stanza 2023 public lecture organized by the Alumni Association of the University of Ibadan on Friday, November 3rd, 2023 titled Public Service and the Imperative for National Security in Nigeria. He maintained that as Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Buratai was solely charged with managing a very difficult diplomatic mission. The situation was even more demanding when, a couple of years ago he was called upon to assume the highest command position within the ranks of the Nigerian Army as Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

He admitted that Amb. Lt. General Tukur Yusufu Buratai rtd, CFR is a household name in Nigeria today for his role in fighting Boko Haram and for channeling his energies and intellect in the service to his fatherland. This informed the decision of the  Executive Committee of UIAA to kick start the celebration of 65 years of the existence of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association by unanimously choosing him to present its Public Service Lecture on the topic, Public Service and the Imperatives for National Security in Nigeria. Thus,  UIAA affirms that there is a strong connection between good public service delivery and national security:

OPENING REMARKS DELIVERED BY THE PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (UIAA) WORLDWIDE, PROF. SAAWUA GABRIEL NYITYO AT THE 2ND STANZA 2023 PUBLIC LECTURE ON 03TH NOVEMBER, 2023 HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN.

PROTOCOLS

The University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA) Worldwide is being honoured today by an important visitation from the sahel region, in North East Nigeria. It is a visitation that will shine forth in days, weeks, and even years to come for goldfish they say have no hiding place. The more gold is burnt in the furnace, the better it shines forth.

As Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, he was solely charged to manage a very difficult diplomatic mission. The situation was even more demanding when, a couple of years ago he was called upon to assume the highest command position within the ranks of the Nigerian Army as Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

Amb. Lt. General Tukur Yusufu Buratai rtd, CFR is a household name in Nigeria today for his role in fighting Boko Haram and for channeling his energies and intellect in the service to his fatherland. This is the man that the Executive Committee has selected to kick start the celebration of 65 years of the existence of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association. By unanimously choosing him to present its Public Service Lecture today on the topic is Public Service and the Imperatives for National Security in Nigeria; UIAA is also affirming that there is a strong connection between good public service delivery and national security.

Our Previous Lecture touched on the question of Nigeria’s economic production and rejuvenation. It was entitled Frontier Basin Hydrocarbon Exploration: The Nigerian Experience, and delivered by Dr. Mazadu D. Bako fnmgs, fnape. For all intents and purposes, there can be no gainful economic production talk less of transformation without a peaceful society. This is indeed the central thrust of today’s lecture in which the guest lecturer has opted to talk about. There is a strong connection between the provision of social services and securitization. A good leader must have a good listening ear, but he must also provide quality service and amenities to his people. He must always strive to work for the common good of the people. The lecture from it title promises to unveil to us the need to always strive to entrench peace and security in the society.

There have been heroes/leaders in history who share this line of thinking. Even nearer home, here we had Chief Obafemi Awolowo. You also have cited Shehu Musa Yar’Adua in your lecture. Farther away from here, we have the likes of Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama. These are leaders who worked day and night for the common good of the people. Our prayer is for God almighty to grant you the grace to fulfill your heart’s desire.

 As an Association, the UIAA very warmly welcomes you and your entourage to this great citadel of learning, our alma mater, the University of Ibadan. Suffice it to state that the hallmark of our Association is not only to connect with our alumni alone but also to link up with worthy members of the Nigerian community to generate ideas and solutions to address societal challenges to move our nation forward. We also seek individual and institutional support for the purpose of contributing to the growth of our alma mater. Your Excellency Sir Dr. Michael Omolayole Alumni Complex has been named after the pioneer Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association.

The complex has been built through the contribution and benefactions from both our Alumni Community and their friends. There are a number of commitments that the Association has taken upon itself to support the University. We have the UIAA Scholarship Scheme, support for sports activities in the university and so on.

As you walk out of this hall after your lecture Excellency Sir, you will observe a dilapidated structure on your immediate right. It is actually crying for a facelift. It is our plea that if we find favour with your Excellency, you could support our efforts in giving the block a facelift.

Wishing you a happy presentation of the 2023 Public Service Lecture. To all other members of our very distinguished audience, I wish you happy listening.                  

Thank you and God bless.

Prof. Saawua Gabriel Nyityo

B.A (Hons) Msc. PhD (Ibadan)

President,

UIAA Worldwide.

It would be recalled that Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Yusufu Buratai has reiterated that public service is a crucial aspect of national security. 

Buratai in his paper presented at the 2nd stanza 2023 public lecture organized by the Alumni Association of the University of Ibadan on Friday, November 3rd, 2023 titled Public Service and the Imperative for National Security in Nigeria, maintained that it is imperative that the government invest in, and maintains a competent Public Service to ensure the safety and security of its citizens. 

According to him, public servants are responsible for implementing policies and programs that promote peace and stability as well as for delivering essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, and maintaining law and order which are vital to the well-being of the population.