Former Chief of Army Staff and former Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (Rtd), has expressed profound gratitude to the military, government officials, diplomats, traditional rulers, academics, journalists and other stakeholders who supported the public presentation and launch of Military Transformational Leadership in Action: The Buratai Era.
The appreciation was contained in a statement issued by retired Brigadier General Kukasheka Usman, following the book presentation held at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites, Asokoro, Abuja.
The event brought together serving and retired military officers, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional rulers, academics, business leaders and journalists, with General Buratai describing their participation as an affirmation of the importance of documenting Nigeria’s military history and institutional memory.
General Buratai expressed particular appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who served as Special Guest of Honour, and whose message was delivered by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mrs Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens.
He also thanked the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, for his support and for facilitating the Nigerian Government’s participation in the event.
The former Army Chief expressed appreciation to the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Umaru Abdul Mutallab, CON, and to the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, who presented the book and shared his testimony as a beneficiary of the leadership legacy documented in the publication.
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He further acknowledged the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the Service Chiefs, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff; Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Chief of Air Staff, for the distinguished representatives they sent to the event.
The former Army Chief acknowledged the presence and support of His Royal Majesty, Oba Alhaji (Dr) Hameed Oyelude Makama, Tegboosun III, the Olowu of the Owu-Kuta Kingdom, Osun State, alongside the G12 Obas from the state.
He also expressed appreciation to the Italian Ambassador, Roberto Mengoni; President of the African Peoples Movement, Sheikh Mustapha Kouyatè; General Francis A. Behanzin, Chairman and Co-Founder of the World Network of Security and Defence Professionals for the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and former ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; and Maricel Romero, Honorary Consul of Colombia to Nigeria.
General Buratai thanked the author, Dr M.S. Abubakar, for the scholarly work behind the publication, as well as the Institute of Security Nigeria for endorsing the book and Nigerian academics and security researchers involved in the accompanying festschrift examining defence, intelligence and statecraft.
He said the goodwill, commendations and donations received before, during and after the event had reinforced the value of documenting Nigeria’s institutional history.
General Buratai expressed appreciation once again to all those who contributed through their presence, words, donations and support, and expressed the hope that the lessons documented in the book would continue to guide Nigeria and its Armed Forces.
