The immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur
Buratai (retd), has attributed his appointment to his father’s love for the
President, Muhammadu Buhari .
According to him, his appointment in July 2015 was a prize
for the loyalty of his father, Yusuf Buratai to Buhari.
Buratai’s father was a
non-commissioned officer in the Royal West African Frontier Force and a World
War II veteran who fought in Burma.
The former COAS expressed the views on Sunday night during a
gala night organised by the 29th Regular Course Association in Abuja in his
honour to celebrate him as the longest-serving COAS and his successful
retirement.
He expressed gratitude to the President for finding him
worthy to serve as COAS, adding that he discharged his responsibilities to the
best of his ability.
He also said that although it was a tough time serving as
COAS, the service chiefs weathered the storm, adding “I am retired but
definitely not tired Insha Allah.”
Buratai said, “My father was an ardent lover of the
President and my appointment as COAS, therefore, was a price or reward for that
gesture by the President.
“Of course, and as you have been told severally, we (the
President and I) met in Njemena and he saw me and felt I was the right person
to be COAS at that very crucial and critical moment of our history.
“And I am happy that we have discharged our responsibilities
diligently, professionally and loyally, and I will continue to discharge my
responsibilities to him and of course to our country and our people.”
Speaking on the gala night staged in his honour, he said the
event organised for him showed that he did well as the country’s Chief of Army
Staff.
“It feels great (to be celebrated by my colleagues) at this
point in time. It means a lot to me in terms of respect, in terms of the show
of love.
“It’s something of pride that you have been recognised for
the service you have rendered to your nation and people”, he said.
Buratai expressed gratitude to Governor Babagana Zulum of
Borno State and all the governors of the North East, especially the governors
of Yobe and Adamawa States for their support.
“They have all worked hard to ensure that the insurgency in
the North East have reached what we have today; a manageable state and the
progress have been quite tremendous so far,” he said.
He also thanked Buhari on his new appointment as an
Ambassador-designate, adding that he would continue to do the country proud and
project its image in good light wherever he is deployed to.
Buratai said, “On a final note, I must appreciate all
Nigerians, my well-wishers, the youths, elders, men and women for their
continuous prayers, goodwill and support to me and the Nigerian Army in the
course of our duties to bring about peace and security in our country.
“It was a tough time but we’ve weathered the storm. I am
retired but definitely not tired Insha Allah.
“We have left great legacies in the Nigerian Army that I
hope will last the test of time by God’s grace,” Buratai concluded.
Buratai and other Service Chiefs were sacked from their
positions on January 26, 2021.
Thereafter, the President appointed Major-General Leo Irabor
(Chief of Defence Staff); Major-General I. Attahiru (Chief of Army Staff); Rear
Admiral A.Z Gambo (Chief of Naval Staff); and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao (Chief
of Air Staff) as replacements.
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No wonder he was poor in curbing insecurity in the country
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