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GOC charged officers and men to improve in providing security

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The General Officer, Commanding (GOC), 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Maj.- Gen Farouk Yahaya has tasked officers to improve their performance in ensuring the security of the country.

The GOC gave them the task on Friday at the closing ceremony of a five day Inter-Brigade sports competition organised in Kano by the Division, with 1-Division Garrison Kaduna, Artillery Brigade Minna and 3-Brigade Kano participating.

According to him, the inter-brigade sports competition 2020 was part of the training instruction by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai to improve their proficiency, to have a professional and more confident soldiers.

“I expect that professionalism should be your watchwords, as you put into good use the knowledge and experience gained during the competition.

“Such will be for the overall benefit of your units and the Nigerian Army at large.

“I will like to assure you that trainings of such nature will continue to receive priority attention in the Division.”

He said that from the enthusiasm shown and performance of the participating formations, the division was satisfied that the objectives of the competition was achieved.

“The objectives of the competition was basically to improve your physical fitness, enhance your leadership traits, organisational ability, use of initiative, promote esprit de corps among you.

“It is also to prepare you for battle in view of the present security challenges in the country.

“I have no doubt that the events you competed in have greatly improved your physical and mental capacity,” the GOC added.

Speaking at the event, the Special guest of honour, Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State commended the military for organising such sports competition among the soldiers.

Ganduje, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Kabiru Ado-Lakwaya said it was another step in tackling insecurity challenges in the country.

According to him, such training can keep the military fit and strong in fighting the security challenges in the country.

The governor further pledged to continue to give all the security agencies in the state, especially the military adequate support to tackle insecurity.

the events competed for include Football, Boxing, Taekwondo, Swimming, Squash, Basketball, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Obstacle crossing, Tug of war, Cross country race, Badminton, Chess and Scrabble.

At the end of the competition, 1 Division Garrison Kaduna clinched the 1st position, 3 Brigade Nigerian Army Kano 2nd position and 31 Artillery Brigade Minna took the 3rd position.

Gov Zulum Commends Army’s Efforts in the Fight Against Terrorism

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The Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Zulum has commended the Nigerian military particularly the Army for their commitment to tackling the numerous security challenges in Nigeria, especially insurgency and terrorism in the Northeast Geo-political zone.

Prof Zulum made the assertion Monday at the Army Headquarters, Abuja when he visited the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.

The Governor thanked the Federal Government and the military for their support to the people and the government of Borno State and solicited for more support and cooperation to ensure the successful completion of the war against insurgency in the State.

According to the governor, – his visit to the COAS was aimed at cross-fertilization of ideas that would help to improve on the counter insurgency/ counter terrorism operations, stressing that the battle needed to be taken to the enclaves of the insurgents.

Governor Zulum called on governments at all levels to support the military maximally to enable them carryout their tasks of protecting the nation, adding that there is the need to strengthen Civil-military relations and foster synergy between and among security agencies. He noted that the people of Borno State and the Nigerian Army have a common objective.

He expressed optimism that terrorism would soon be a thing of the past.

Responding, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Buratai commended the Governor for his dynamic approach to governance and his determination to finding an enduring solution to insecurity in the state.

General Buratai used the opportunity to thank the governor for all his supports especially to the troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE deployed in Borno State.

He noted that Borno State has high prospects for human capacity development that could be developed for the benefit of Nigeria and other parts of the world, while expressing hope that the State will in a near future return to its glorious position of peace and prosperity.

The Army boss enjoined the Borno State government to take into consideration the reintegration, deradicalization and employment of repentant members of the Boko Haram sect as the nation heads towards the final phase of the war against insurgency/terrorism.

The COAS was hopeful that with the recent lift on the ban on fishing activities on the Lake Chad basin, business activities in the area and Maiduguri metropolis will bounce back.

The COAS acknowledged the injection of members of the Civilian Joint Task Force in the fight and commended their efforts and that of other security agencies, reiterating the readiness of the Nigerian Army to work in conjunction with its counterparts in other countries to ensure that the war is fought to a logical conclusion.

NEMA And How Maihaja Is Fulfilling A Spiritual Mandate

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By Evangelist Sunday Attah

A larger percentage of the world’s population lives below the poverty line. As nations grapple with how to overcome this, they are not spared from the further debilitating and catastrophic effects of other disasters that aggravate the pitiable conditions of the poor and even increasing their number. Due to this, there have been injunctions by the major religions on assisting the poor and coming to the aid of the needy. In Nigeria, while organizations and individuals have taken it upon themselves to intervene in various ways to alleviate the sufferings of the poor, the combined effect of natural and man-made disasters has emphasized the need for more of such efforts. Considering the enormity of the problems on ground, many have given up while others who have managed to remain and have had their resources drained.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was set up by the government to intervene in emergency situations and has been doing so over the years but with the coming of Engr. Mustapha Maihaja, there seems to be an understanding on the part of the agency that the role NEMA is supposed to play goes beyond living up to government’s mandate but to serve humanity and do the will of God. In the Bible, the question was asked, who should be considered a nieghbour and Jesus Christ responded with a parable of the good Samaritan in which the assistance of a foreigner categorized as an enemy qualified him to be regarded as the neighbour of the slain traveller who was ignored by his brothers and those supposedly close to him in his time of distress.

If the question, ‘who is your neigbour?’ is to be put to the very weak and poor in Nigeria today, regardless of religion, ethnic group or geo-political zone, the response would be unanimous: Maihaja.
This is because since the coming of Engr Mustapha Maihaja as the Director General of NEMA, the agency has responded to emergency situations and has moved swiftly to help the needy in a way that has qualified it to be seen as the neighbour of the poor, vulnerable and weak in the society.

The agency has been able to achieve these from the observation of analysts on four major fronts, namely, through its response to disasters and emergencies, constant reaching out to the distressed, providing succor to the weak and poor through social protection intervention measures.
In Deutronomy, the Bible says: “ For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land and in ACTS 20: 35 it says. “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

In Islam, the Hadith stated that Hadrat Abdullah Bin Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger(peace be upon him) as saying, ”There are some servants of Allah the Almighty whom He has bestowed with special blessings by which they help His servants. As long as they help people with their wealth and influence, Allah the Almighty keeps bestowing His blessings on them. If anyone of them keeps away from helping people then Allah the Almighty withdraws His blessings from him and transfers it to some more deserving person. “

And according to Hadrat Abu Hurayra(Radiyallahu Anhu), Allah’s Messenger(peace be upon him): “Whoever relieves a believer of a difficulty from the difficulties of this world, Allah shall relieve for him a difficulty from the difficulties of the Day of Resurrection. And whoever lightens the burden of someone in difficulty , Allah shall lighten his burden in this life and the next.”
Disasters and emergencies as is well known are of two different kinds, but NEMA has positioned itself to take up the challenges with equal adroitness. The agency’s response to natural disasters like flood and emergency situation caused by human activities like the insurgency in the North East have received high élan an commendation both within and outside the shores of the country.

In the former category, NEMA has shown sensitivity and concern to the plight of those ravaged by natural disasters that its intervention in the areas has so mitigated the effect of the disasters that the victims have been brought back to normal lives leaving no room for regrets.
It is common knowledge that in Nigeria, several communities in several states during the rainy seasons, are ravaged by floods due to heavy rains and release of water from some dams. This has usually leaves a large part of the population  in the throes of the devastation from loss of lives, homes and other property.
Several states in Nigerian including Benue, Niger, Kaduna, Gombe, Plateau and others are rendered homeless and citizens reduced to destitute.
But with the intervention of NEMA which lately has even gone head to take proactive steps by warning communities of likely floods and giving them adequate advice on preventive measures, much of the effect of the devastation has been reduced.

The agency has helped communities and individuals with relief material to return to their bases and start new lives without allowing themselves to be overwhelmed by the devastation of the disasters.

On the man made disasters especially the hardship caused by the effects of insurgency in the North eastern part of the country, the various initiatives employed by NEMA have had tremendous impact on the lives of those that have been affected by the crisis in the area. NEMA has been able to establish bases in terms of reaching out in several villages, communities, and hamlets with food items, clothes, medications and other relief materials that the impact of NEMA in North-East Nigeria has been commended in several fora in that regard.
Does this line of action also answer to a call? Yes. In Deutronomy 15:17 it says, “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.”
And in Islam it says, “Give to the near of kin his due, and also to the needy and the wayfarers. Do not squander your wealth wastefully; for those who squander wastefully are Satan’s brothers, and Satan is ever ungrateful to his Lord. (17:26 – 27).

Not done with that, the agency lately moved ahead and exercised its mandate to tackle humanitarian issues emanating from ecological devastation in the country.
This is one area that has been neglected in the past but with the coming of Maihaja, realizing the number of people affected and the effect on the general well being of the citizenry, NEMA took up the responsibility. NEMA’s Establishment Act empowers it to cover ecological problems hence the agency took up the mandate seriously as many parts of the country are suffering from ecological devastation.
The southern parts of the country suffer from erosion, the central part of the country suffers from the activities of miners and in the north there is the age long problem of desertification.
The intervention by NEMA has reduced the hardship caused by each or a combination of these disasters and has brought succour and relief to the communities and individuals living in these areas.
This also has a spiritual background as the Bible says in Proverbs 19: 17 that “ Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed and in 1 John 3: 17-18, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
In Islam, Safwan ibn Salim related that the Prophet said: “Anyone who looks after and works for a widow and a poor person is like a warrior fighting for Allah’s cause, or like a person who fasts during the day and prays all night. (Bukhari) and Anas related that the Prophet said: If any Muslim plants something or sows seed from which a man, a bird or an animal eats, it counts as a charity for him. (Bukhari, Muslim)

NEMA under Maihaja has also reached out to the distressed. When Nigerians were being humiliated and put under harsh conditions for repatriation in Libya, the agency felt concerned and moved into action.
This has seen the agency participating in the repatriation and rehabilitation of Nigerian refugees from Libya through airlift of returnees from Tripoli to Port Harcourt, fact-finding negotiation mission to Libya, international and local media and publicity and others. The agency through its distribution of relief material to communities has helped in mitigating the suffering of the poor and the weak,
Again this lies at the background of the love for one another enjoined by the two major religions in Nigeria, proving that NEMA under Maihaja is God-sent.

Attah wrote this piece from Abuja.

Otukpo water supply: Benue deputy governor expresses satisfaction with work at Otobi waterworks

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By Ede Ogaba Ede

Following the directives of the Benue State Executive Council for the immediate reactivation of the Old Otobi Waterworks to enable the station to resume treatment of water and pumping of same to residents of Otukpo and its environs, Benue State Deputy Governor, Engr Benson Abounu, today inspected the on-going work at Otobi.

He was accompanied by the state Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr Alex Shaapera and the Director of Civil Engineering, Ministry of Works, Mr Alex T. Orya, who were in Otukpo to sort out an issue of encroachment into the land of the ministry at Otukpo.

After going round all the sections of the waterworks, Engr Abounu expressed satisfaction with the repair work as well as the effort to connect the Old Water Works to the pipes of the Chinese built new digitalised Waterworks.

The deputy governor was received by the Area Officer, Otukpo Waterworks, Engr Paul Owuno and veteran water engineer, Joseph Ben Onaji.

Coronavirus: ISIS tells its terrorists not to travel to Europe for jihad 

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After years of urging its terrorists to attack major European cities, ISIS is now telling them to steer clear due to the coronavirus.

Any sick jihadists already in Europe, however, should stay there — presumably to sicken infidels, according to a “sharia” directive printed in the group’s al-Naba newsletter, the Sunday Times of London reported.

The “healthy should not enter the land of the epidemic and the afflicted should not exit from it,” the newsletter advised.

The newsletter instructs jihadists that the “plague” is a “torment sent by God on whomsoever He wills.”

Iraq, where most of the surviving fragments of the group remain, had 110 reported coronavirus cases on Sunday morning, 10 of them fatal, according to Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking the contagion.

Buhari Grants Secondary School Student Scholarship up to PhD

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Osun Student who got President Muhammadu Buhari’s scholarship for emerging best scientist of the year Master Akintade Abdullahi, a student of Osogbo Grammar School has got a full scholarship up to PhD level for emerging the overall best Young Nigerian Scientist of the Year.

President Muhammadu Buhari awarded the young Osun public school student the award after he won the 1st position in the National Examination of the 774 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award, organised by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

Meanwhile, the State Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola has appreciated the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari for giving Abdulahi the scholarship prize.

Governor Oyetola, who personally congratulated the winner and his parents, expressed his appreciation to President Buhari while fielding questions from journalists shortly after the presentation of the Presidential Awards to the young Abdullahi and two others on Monday at the Eagle Square, Abuja. The Governor was Guest of honour at the event.

President Buhari Declares Open 2020 Science, Technology And Innovation EXPO In Abuja.

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President Muhammadu Buhari has declared opened the programme today the 2020 Science, Technology And Innovation EXPO at the Eagle Square, Abuja..

The Hon Ministers of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu and Barr Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi (Magajin Garin Uke) alongside their colleagues and other dignitaries including the Emir of Lafia, HRH Alh Dauda Sidi Bage 1 and the Yakanajen Uke, HRH Alh Ahmed Hassan Abdullahi today at the opening ceremony of the programme.

STI EXPO which is to hold from today through 20th of March 2020 is a programme under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology where agencies of government and private organizations including individuals showcases their scientific and technological innovations.

Otukpo market fire: Victims will be compensated – Former council boss, Alli

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… says plans underway to relocate the market.

Immediate past Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council of Benue State, Hon George Alli has sympathised with victims of the Otukpo market inferno of Monday 16th March, 2020 promising that government will come to the aid of those who lost properties in the incident.

Hon Alli gave the assurance Monday, while speaking in a telephone interview with Television Nigerian.

He noted that the nature of the market had made it difficult for fire trucks to gain access into the epicentre of the inferno but praised the efforts of spirited individuals and the firemen for their gallantry in bringing the situation under control.

Hon Alli noted that plans are underway to relocate the market to a safer location as talks have reached advance stage with some developers to build an ultramodern market to boost economic activities in the city.

He hinted that he had brief both the Governor and the Deputy Governor on the development and extracted their commitment towards alleviating the pains of the victims.

Understanding AI’s Fuss with Nigeria

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By Edward Omaga

Amnesty International seems to have its operational headquarters in Nigeria. The organization loves Nigeria because the Nigerian platform is that which it uses to gain popularity with its half-baked annual reports that smacks of a mockery of what a report should look be.

I am a fan of Amnesty International for just one reason. They are easily predictable. I mean, you could quickly tell when they are mobilized to carry out a hatchet job. They usually go full blast with statements that defeat and defile all sense of decorum and professionalism. One of such instance is the recent statement credited to AI, where it stated that the Federal Government had failed families of the 640 recaptured Boko Haram detainees reportedly killed by soldiers.

I want to start on this note. Let’s assume the figure is correct. Let’s also assume these terrorists were killed. Let’s also assume that they indeed have families that were expecting justice for them, and let’s also assume that these 640 recaptured Boko Haram fighters have never held guns and killed innocent women and children all the while they were actively engaged in the war front.

Given the above assumptions, the statement by Amnesty International might make a bit of sense if indeed these groups of people have not spilled the blood of innocent and unarmed women and children, and if they have also not rendered many children fatherless and many women widows.

The big questions for Amnesty International are; Is Amnesty International ignorant of all the atrocities committed by the Boko Haram terrorist group since 2009 when they began a violent campaign in Nigeria? Are they also aware that since 2009 it is estimated that millions have been displaced and hundreds of thousands killed by the group? Is Amnesty International aware that 276 young and innocent schoolgirls were abducted from their hostels in Chibok by the same group? Are they also aware that the Boko Haram group also kidnapped 110 schoolgirls aged 11–19 years old?

Just maybe Amnesty International is feigning ignorance; the Boko Haram insurgency ran a boot where children as young as five years old learned to handle assault rifles and march through the woods in flip-flops. And this is just normal and not a violation of the rights of these young children, I suppose.

Back to the crux of the issue, Amnesty International is indeed an organization of unscrupulous elements that thrives in causing disaffection anywhere they find themselves. And history is replete with tales of how the supposed human rights organizations have been engaged in actions that compromise the sovereignty of countries in fulfillment of their overarching objective of ensuring that conflict thrives in most countries.

In Nigeria, Amnesty International has stayed true to these objectives through its annual reports that aim to destabilize the Nigerian Military in operation in North-East Nigeria. It has continuously churned out falsehoods against the government. It has often cried wolf where none exists as this recent posturing of accusing the government of not acting with regards to the killing of a supposed 640 Boko Haram fighters.

I think that Amnesty International trusts the efforts of the government when it suits the purpose of its paymasters. As an aside, AI has elected to be the official defense organization of militant groups in Nigeria. This is manifest in its vicious defense of the activities of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).

Amnesty International was indeed shameless in its defense of the nefarious activities of non-state actors that have brought tears and sorrows to innocent Nigerians. I recall that Femi Falana represented IMN in one of the futile defense of their nefarious activities. They went as far as mobilizing lawyers from abroad to defend all her allegations. Yet these are organizations that have consistently violated the rights of unarmed Nigerians and subjected them to untold hardships. There is nothing wrong in the eyes of AI.

I think the Nigerian government has indeed been tolerant of the activities of AI in Nigeria even though their actions are suspect and a source of concern to well-meaning Nigerians. Indeed Nigerians must see through the veil and understand that AI is on a mission to destroy Nigeria and nothing more. They have consistently supported the activities of militant groups in their violent campaigns in Nigeria. But when the Nigerian government attempts to protect the citizens from these violent groups, Amnesty International rises to their defense to the absolute bewilderment of all and sundry.

Yes, this is what Amnesty International, in their wisdom have elected to do. They accuse the Nigerian Military of human rights violations and praise the Boko Haram terrorist group to high heavens for killing innocent and unarmed civilians. If this is not insane, I don’t know what else to call it.

The activities of Amnesty International in Nigeria are quite despicable. They have indeed, through their actions, displayed that the definition of human rights violations is subjective and for sale to the highest bidder. And since these militant groups are paying the bills, they are duty-bound to continue to protect them at all times. This is the starkness of the reality confronting Nigeria.

Nigerians must be careful not to fall for the AI propaganda. Nigerians must begin to ask critical questions if we are desirous of making progress as a country and understand that AI is on a mission, and that mission is to see that that war against terrorism and other violent acts does not come to an end.

The recent posturing by Amnesty International on the 640 Boko Haram fighters is one of those instances aimed at causing a distraction in the polity in fulfillment of their nefarious mandate. It is one day one accusation with Amnesty International. I am of the considered opinion that the government and the Military need to be vigilant because once we are making progress in the war against terrorism and other militant groups, we are bound to see these enemies of progress coming up with false claims to discredit the Military, and as well as causing a distraction.

I recall that in times past, there have been calls for the expulsion of Amnesty International from Nigeria. I believe that there is no better time than now because, for as long as they remain in Nigeria, we shall not know peace. They would continue to discredit the government and the Military. This is not what we want as a people and as a country now.

Stating that the federal government has failed families of some 640 recaptured Boko Haram detainees reportedly killed by soldiers in 2014 is the height of insanity because there is no evidence to substantiate this. This is an anomaly that is typical of the Amnesty International mandate to bring Nigeria to ruins. But I doubt if Nigerians would be quiet this time around. Enough is indeed enough. Nigerians must rise in defense of our country, sufficing to state that the media has a critical role to play.

The media must, as a matter of urgency, join hands with the government in the quest to protect Nigeria from the activities of dangerous organizations like Amnesty International that mean no good for the country. Nigeria must come first at all times, and we must do well to understand AI’s fuss with Nigeria.

*Omaga is the Legal Adviser of Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) and writes from Abuja*

Buhari & Buratai: Best Gifts To The Nigerian Army

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By Abubakar Tsav

The world is replete with very many tinges of experiences. A man’s bad deeds lives long after his demise, but his good deeds are interred with his bones. President Muhammadu Buhari accepted the burden of leading Nigeria at a time in its history every aspect of existence in the country was in extreme shambles.

It is repeating the obvious to say, the Military is the strength of every nation. The Army is its first treasured gold and hub of preserving and securing the territorial integrity and sovereignty of a nation from external aggressors. The Army is the foremost in many ways and ought to pass fitness test all the times to respond to security emergencies.

Unfortunately, President Buhari met a Nigerian Army that was completely in disarray and neglected in infrastructural development; signposted by defaced and dilapidated barracks, ill-equipped armouries and populated by unprofessional and undisciplined soldiers. Worse of it all, the Nigerian Army was politicized, enmeshed in partisanship and polarized along Nigeria’s faultlines of ethnicity, religion and regionalism.

Equally saddening was the reality that Nigerian soldiers who were formally famed nationally and globally for their gallant exploits in wars and Peace-Keeping Missions could no longer boast of such accomplishments. Even combating the menace of Boko Haram terrorism and other insurrections in the country was a big challenge to soldiers. Troops disgracefully faltered many times on the battlefield in the face of enemy forces.

The dignity of the Nigerian Army was rubbished by a basketful complaints of favoritism in postings, stalled promotions, unpaid salaries, denial of basic allowances, poor or non-existent welfare packages; lack of motivational incentives to soldiers deployed on special assignments on Internal Security (IS), absence of a reward system for excellence, brazen abuse of Rules of Engagement (ROE), widespread professional misconduct and constant mutinies.

In effect, Nigeria operated and paraded a demoralized and depressed Army, where promotions were earned based on a soldier’s link or affinity with the President or other top notchers in Government. A soldier’s hard work was not recognized and appreciated with a promotion as reward for excellence unless he either knows ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo or former President Goodluck Jonathan, the serving Presidents of Nigeria at that time.

Military Guard rooms were looking better than barracks where soldiers and their families were living. Army offices across the country were pigsties, and like dwelling places for animals.

The most fatal blow on the Nigerian Army was the deep-seated issue of religion and ethnicity. They became strong factors in the force to the extent that it gravely affected the operations of the Army as an institution; shattered the coherence and the cord of comradeship among soldiers. Infinitely politicized, the Nigerian Army was more enthusiastic in performing political duties than their constitutionally assigned professional roles.

So, officers and soldiers had redirected their loyalty and patriotism to specific political parties which their brothers and sisters professed. It was not to Nigeria, the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Army leadership or field Commanders. The productivity of soldiers was on a steady, generous and dangerous decline in a sphere of the Nigerian Army operations.

President Buhari could not accept the eroded values and degradation of the Nigerian Army. He knew he owes Nigerians and the Nigerian Army a sacred obligation to change its status of a degenerated Army to a responsive, responsible and professional Army.

But the President needed a marksman for the job. Thus, came the appointment of Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai, as the Chief of Army Staff and leader of the Counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria. The COAS was briefed by his Commander-In-Chief on the task at hand. But ab initio, Gen. Buratai was also aware that he needed a standard Nigerian Army to deploy as solution to the countless security challenges which were tormenting the nation.

Having carved a niche for himself as a professional soldier of enviable standing, Gen. Buratai, also a notable administrative guru, launched far-reaching reforms and innovations in the Nigerian Army. And he followed their implementation reverently and meticulously.

Within a short time, the Army began to recover its lost glory and trampled shadows. Today, and with every sense of pride, the narrative of the institution of the Nigerian Army has changed for the better. Its reputation has soared incredibly. It is attested by the sustained successes of troops over Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism in the Northeast; soldiers’ professional candour, discipline and adherence to the appropriate code of service loyalty anywhere they serve.

And as long as Gen. Buratai is on the saddle, he has maintained the tempo and is improving it with each passing day. One can assert with certainty, that so long as Gen. Buratai continues to remain on the saddle, the Nigerian Army will keep getting better and excelling in all tasks assigned to it, as it sails gradually to the destination of perfection.

A peep into Gen. Buratai’s leadership of the Nigerian Army shows a pleasing reversal of all the aforementioned odds and negativities, which demoralized, afflicted and hindered our soldiers from performing their professional duties. He has succeeded in insulating our soldiers from partisan politics. Even when on Election Duty, soldiers remained apolitical and neutral in the exercise of their duties as recently confirmed by the Ebonyi state Governor, Chief David Umahi while assessing the Army’s participation in the 2019 general elections.

Salaries and allowances of troops are paid regularly and promptly; almost every Army Barrack in the country has undergone renovation; new offices have been built for the Army and old ones renovated; the reward system based on excellence has been restored and very active. Even on the battlefield, Gen. Buratai decorates soldiers who have displayed exceptional courage and gallantry in terrorism combats.

Soldiers need not to know Mr. President or have affinity with him to have their promotions effected and timely. All that is required of a soldier is his loyalty, dedication to duty and hard work to earn what he deserves.

Army Hospitals have been animated and stocked with drugs and other modern medical equipment for soldiers and their families. In -service training of soldiers is open to all indiscriminately and once a soldier qualifies or is due for refresher courses, he does not lobby anybody to get the approval. New training institutions like the Nigerian Army Aviation School and the Nigerian Army University, Biu have been established under the leadership of Gen. Buratai.

Gen. Buratai has introduced multiple incentive packages for the Nigerian Army. These are initiatives that ginger performance enhancement for soldiers. Interestingly, the Army Chief has repositioned the Nigerian Army in a manner that it has developed its internal capacity to contribute to the economic development agenda of the present political leadership of Nigeria under President Buhari.

Besides establishing new Army Divisions and Units, Gen. Buratai’s leadership has ventured into economic initiatives like the Nigeria Army Farm and Ranches; the Nigerian Army Post-Service Housing Development Limited; the Command Engineering Depot; the Nigerian Army Property Limited and the Nigerian Army Welfare Guarantee Limited among others. These economic concerns are the first in the history of Nigerian Army and designed to serve both the Army and the Nigerian public.

Therefore, the arrival of President Buhari on the leadership podium of Nigeria and the right choice of Gen. Buratai as the COAS have been the saving grace of the Nigerian Army, which was fast sinking into oblivion. The duo have remained the best thing to have ever happened to the Nigerian Army.

Every soldier today looks at himself with pride and dignity. Troops no longer shirk at the warfront, but fight the enemies even at the cost of their lives. It is not controvertible that the Nigerian Army today stands as one of the best in Africa. There is every optimism that it can still be the best in considering the various limitations in terms of technology. Nigerians believe it can be the overall in the world one day and Gen. Buratai can make it possible as evident in his determination to leave a legacy for the nation.

Tsav who was Commissioner of Police in Lagos and served at the Public Complaints Commission, Abuja wrote from Makurdi, Benue State.

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