Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, Rtd,
has congratulated, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of the 2023 Democracy Day celebrations.

In an official statement made available to journalists, Buratai who also served as Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, commended Tinubu and all Nigerians in the historic feat of enshrining democracy in the country.

“ I congratulate H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the occasion of 2023 Nigeria’s Democracy Day Celebrations.

” H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s emergence as the 16th democratically elected President of Nigeria is another milestone in Nigeria’s march to an enduring democracy. Mr President has seen it all in his struggle to ensure democracy takes root in Nigeria. His years in the trenches in the early 1990s brought him out as a true democrat. Congratulations Your Excellency.

“ I also congratulate Nigerians for their resilience since 1999 to ensure democracy is sustained through their votes.

” With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Nigeria’s Democratic saddle , his Renewed Hope Agenda is a sure way to Nigeria’s greatness in all ramifications of national development.
” Mr President has started in the right direction. Therefore, it is incumbent on us as Nigerians to support him to achieve his vision.

“Let me also pay tribute to Chief MKO Abiola GCFR for his democratic sacrifice which we are celebrating. This is a clear confirmation that his sacrifice is not in vain. His spirits of selflessness, patriotism, and unity are worthy of emulation by all democratic leaders nationally and globally.

“Abiola was an international figure who fought for reparation as restitution for the injustices done to the black race worldwide. I, therefore, call on the United Nations (UN)
to declare 12 June every year as World Democracy Day.
” It is an honour well deserved by Chief MKO Abiola of blessed memory and all lovers of democracy by the international community.
Signed:

Lt Gen Tukur Buratai Rtd
Former COAS/Nigeria’s Amb to Republic of Benin

The TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation has commended the Federal Government for reintroducing history in schools across the the country.

A statement Signed by the National Coordinator of the foundation, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi, noted that the grand patron of the foundation himself is a historian.

He therefore congratulated all historians while urging all schools managements to as a matter of urgency commence the teaching of history in the schools as directedby theFederalGovernment.

According to our grand patron His Excellency Ambassador Lt Gen Tukur Buratai Rtd CFR Garkuwan Keffi. “History is a great unifier, it is a leadership developer and a national character moulder”

The foundation Congratulated the President, Commander in Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Hon Minister Federal Ministry of Education Malam Adamu Adamu for this all important decision.

He called on parents to inculcate the knowledge of history in their children so as to be equipped with what happened in the past that will shape their today and prepare them for a better tomorrow.

It should be recalled that the Federal Government has reintroduced history as a stand-alone subject in the basic education  curriculum in Nigeria 13 years after its abolition. Adamu Adamu, minister of education, announced this in Abuja, Thursday, 24 November 2022 at the reintroduction ceremony/training of history teachers at the basic education level.

By Ibrahim Dahiru Dafulani

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the newly commission cadets to brace up for more evolving and complex security situations and make sure that no terrorists can threaten Nigeria’s sovereign integrity, the President made the charge at the Nigerian Defence Academy passing out parade of 69 regular course on Thursday 6TH October 2022.

He said that what sets this Academy apart is not just the primacy of discipline, but its first-class training curricula designed to transform young cadets into professionals with extraordinary skill-set and knowledge to prevent, confront and neutralize the contemporary and emerging threats facing our country and West African sub-region.

He stated that ‘When this Government came in 2015, we inherited a country at crossroads, with bombs going off with frightening frequency even in our cities, and we came in to confront and manage the crisis. This administration has since coming on board procured of over 550 naval platforms, out of which 319 have been delivered, as a part of the aggressive fleet recapitalization of the Nigerian Navy. We have also increased the number of Nigerian Air Force platforms by more than 38% and enhanced the serviceability rate of aircraft in the NAF inventory by over 70%.”

The President further explains that, ‘’In pursuing this same objective, the Nigerian Army has received by more than 2000 units of various Armored Fighting Vehicles, guns, and equipment. These are in addition to improved funding of the three Services along with other security and intelligence agencies. These comprehensive and systematic acquisitions within 7 years are not only unprecedented in the past 38 years, but they also align with our pledge to safeguard and strengthen the security architecture of our country.”

In addressing the new cadets, President Buhari said “Your convergence here symbolizes our national unity, for you were all admitted into the Academy from the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT to co-exist and master the arts and science of building and defending your fatherland. You are required to replicate the social cohesion you experienced during your time at the Academy and be the unifying and incorruptible models of those you were trained to protect and bound by esprit de corps and love for your fatherland.”

He also felicitate with the families and friends of the cadets passing, “Without your support, it would have been more difficult for these cadets to compete fairly in adjusting to the dictates of this institution”.

He therefore request for continue support to the cadets throughout their careers. “As men and women who may frequently be away from their families, sometimes for a long time, they need your prayers, love, and emotional support to encourage them to do their best in the service of the nation, he concluded.

Also during the occasion were His Excellency Senate President, Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasiru Elrufai, Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, Minister of Defense, Major Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd) Former and serving service Chiefs, Senator Uba Sani, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamako among others

Buratai Football Academy on Monday, played a 2-2 draw with visiting AMD FC Doma.

This was in a second leg friendly match, organised to keep the players of the academy in shape.

The visitors, AMD had earlier in the first half taken a two-goal lead before the hosts leveled up in the highly explosive encounter, played at the Tukur-Tukur Farms football pitch located along Abuja-Keffi Highway.

Buratai Academy pulled one back in the dying minutes of the first half, before leveling in the extra time.

Notable dignitaries that watched the match were, His Excellency, Ambassador Tukur Yusuf Buratai, Lt. General Lamidi Adeosun (rtd), Dr. Manzo Ahmed and Idris Mamman.

Others are Chairman of Buratai Academy, Engineer Hassan Mohammed and Secretary of the academy, Engineer Usman Ibrahim.

The Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen Bashir Magashi (RTD) on Wednesday inuagurated Prosthetics and Orthotics workshop at the 44 Nigerian Army Refrence Hospital Kaduna.

It is report that the, prosthetics and orthotics workshop was build by German Government through the German Technical Advisory Group (GTAG), and handed over to Nigerian Government.

Magashi said, I am delighted to receive on behalf of Federal Government, and good people of Nigeria , the prosthetics workshop constructed here at 44 hospital by the Government of Germany .

The Minister was represented by Acting Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr Olajide Johnson.

Magashi recalled that the German government through GTAG earlier established a rehabilitation clinic and handed it over to Nigerian government in 2019, as part of German support to our war efforts against insurgency.

“Within the short time of it’s operation and for the fact that the clinic is the only one of its kind with state-of -the art medical equipment in Nigeria , it attracted and overwhelming patronage across the country.

According to him, due to the urgent need for it’s expansion , the GTAG initiated the expansion of the clinic to accommodate the large turnout of patience while including a prosthetic workshop.

“I therefore on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, express our profound gratitude to the German government for this laudable projects.

“The Federal government and particularly members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain grateful for your diverse support in supplying of medical equipment and provision of technical expertise through GTAG .

He assured the good people of Germany of our renewed commitment to ensure that the state of the art equipment provided in this workshop and other equipment facilities elsewhere will be judiciously utilized for the benefit of all Nigerians and humanity in general.

“I wish to also reassure you of our utomost desire to sustain this very important collaboration between our armed forces.

Earlier, the German Ambassador to Nigerian, Mrs Birgitt Ory, said the handover and inauguration of the Prosthetic Workshop is another important step in the relationship of our two countries.

The Ambassador was represented by by Lt-Col Jens Gliemann, German Technical Advisory Group to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to her, under the so-called “Equipment Aid program” in short EAP, Germany works with selected countries in Africa, including Nigeria, to improve the operational capability of their armed forces.

She said, in the areas of logistics, maintenance, or medical care.

“In Nigeria, the German government has invested around 20 milion euros over the past five years as part of the equipment aid program, around 2.8 million euros went to the rehabilitation Center project in the 44. reference hospital Kaduna.

“The idea to establish this rehabilitation
center came to the President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Buhari,
during his visit to the 2015 – G7 Summit in Germany.

“The President had a very friendly and fruitful exchange of views with
our former chancellor Angela Merkel, on bilateral relations, international security and measures to be taken against challenges in the region.

He outlined several projects that were discussed in the German
Parliament, some of which have been
included in the equipment aid program for bilateral cooperation.

“When we built our first rehab clinic
building in 2017/2018 with the support of between 2016-2019,I immediately
received a commitment that the German
government would like to support this
initiative in order to find a medical solution together with other civillan partners.

“We where able to secure one of the largest manufacturers of artificial limps in the world, the German company OTTOBOCK.

She said, this company is known worldwide as an excellent cooperation partner in the field of prostheses and orthoses.

“They are the main sponsor of the Para Olympics and also support the Invictus Games.

She explained that, In order for Nigeria to be independent in the manufacture of
prostheses, we have already started
training prosthetic technicians in Germany in 2020.

“They have received one
year of training and have been certified by international standards.

In September 2022, Nigeria will have three certified technicians.

“Today we are so far that Nigeria is already starting to produce prostheses.

” The first five patients have already received their new limbs and, in cooperation with the rehabilitation clinic, they will quickly learn to master their lives with this new medical aid.

“There is no denying that the partnership
approach is beginning to bear fruit.

“We the Federal Republic of Germany, will further intensify this cooperation in the coming years and will closely support our Nigerian partner.

“I can assure you that the Federal
Republic of Germany is still very
interested in working together as partner, “Ory said

The Acting Corps Commander Medical Nigerian Army , Col Idris Solebo said the goal of medical corps remains the provision of good quality health care

Solebo said the involvement of the armed forces of Nigeria I various military operations around the country sometimes results in to fatalities and injuries.

He said the constitution of this prosthetic workshop for production of artificial limbs for soldiers and civilian populace is very important.

“This local production of world class artificial limbs will facilitate our efforts at rehabilitation of combat amputees there by boosting the morale of the fighting force, “Solebo said.

Prof Emeritus Munzali Jibrin tasked Nigerian Defence Academy(NDA) to put practical application of research to addressed specific developmental challenges and problems.

Jibrin a former Executive Secretary National Universities Commission (NUC),gave the charge at three day Academic Strategic Planning Retreat 2022 , at NDA on Saturday in Kaduna.

According to him, the task is an enormous one which is to make sure that henceforth, the projects have practical applications not to do research for its own sake but to do applied research to address specific developmental challenges and problems.

He added that they advocate for development of ‘triple helix’, a tripartite cooperation between Universities, Government and Industries so that government funds for research projects for universities and industries adopt the products and commercialize it.

“This is how a number of countries have taken up into the industrial age and we hope that when we get our acts up together in Nigeria, same thing will also happen.

He noted institutions would play the role of giving leadership in carrying out relevant applied research that could be used to address developmental problems and challenges.

“I think this is what the Nigerian Defence Academy is doing as you can see new inventions, kitchen, laundry and many other things invented by the centre for innovation.

Also, a former Provost of the academy,Prof Emeritus ,Azubike NwanKwo said the NDA has a unique position to impact national development because of its confine between national defence, national development.

Nwankwo a former Provost of the academy said, it’s not surprising that the NDA is showing a predilection towards critical issues of daily living in Nigeria for the technological advancement for systems and processes.

“Not t only within the immediate environment of the NDA but the Armed Forces and the the general public.

“NDA as a relatively young university, its actually making a remarkable strive, looking at the innovations in display it has been going on exhibitions in science and technology and taking first positions among Nigeria universities.

“Looking at this, NDA is a developmental agent for Nigeria not only a military university but it is at the forefront of pushing and expanding the frontiers of knowledge in terms of sciences, technology and related defense and security areas.

The Commandant NDA, Maj-Gen Ibrahim Yusuf said, the ultimate objective of the retreat was to enable the academy with the support of external partners from other universities to articulate a comprehensive strategic plan that would guide their academic programmes.

Yusuf said, the engagement has been quite fruitful, we have participants from the university of Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Nigerian Army University among others.

“All the imputs we received from them would be looked critically into by setting up an internal committee and try to see how we can optimise the recommendations and ultimately we expect from the next one month to have a strategic document that would guide the academic branch of the NDA for the next five to ten years,”he said.

He said that postgraduate programmes were already open to the public, noting that one of the outcome of the retreat was the need for the NDA to begin to engage the industries so as their research outcomes would be reintegrate
into what the industries are doing.

He added that, the academic strategic planning retreat 2022 will place NDA on the path to greater progression.

Yusuf averred that there is a need for a more rubost retreat which will draw seasoned professors from leading universities across the country who would bring their wealth of knowledge and experience into propelling NDA towards becoming the best ranking university in Nigeria and the world at large.

The Commandant revealed that, under his leadership, NDA, having reflected on the nature and dynamics of the threats confronting our society today,

“We reviewed the military aspect of training officer cadets to world class standards in order to enable them confront and tackle contemporary military challenges after their commissioning into the Armed Forces of Nigeria as young leaders,”he said

Former Chief Of Army Staff(COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has distanced himself from campaign posters by some group of persons calling on him to contest for the 2023 presidential elections.

Buratai, who is also Nigeria’s Ambassador to Republic of Benin, said he has never indicated interest in politics or declared his intention to contest for the office of president in next year’s general elections. He reiterated his contentment and commitment to national service in his present capacity as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Benin Republic.

He has therefore called on the public to ignore the posters which he said is the handiwork of mischief makers for reasons best known to them.

Buratai, made this known in a statement signed by former director army public relations officer Brigadier General Sani Usman, issued in Abuja.

The statement made available to Newsmen, reads; “The attention of His Excellency, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd), Nigeria’s Ambassador to Republic of Benin and former Chief of Army Staff, has been drawn to calls and dissemination of campaign posters calling on him to join partisan politics and contest for Presidential candidature of one of the political parties by some persons.

“However, it is essential to state that the Ambassador has never indicated interest, discussed with, or directed anyone on such matters. Therefore, such calls and posters should be  discountenance as they did not emanate from him, nor is he interested in them. It is entirely the handiwork of some people for reasons best known to them.

“His Excellency wishes to reiterate his contentment and commitment to national service in his present capacity as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Benin Republic. He remains loyal and eternally grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity to serve. He, however, wishes to thank all well-meaning persons, friends and well-wishers who showed concern over this development”.

The Chief of Policy and Plans Nigeria Army, Maj-Gen Anthony Omozoje , has charged 295 cadets of Short Service Course 47 Army to stick to the virtue of loyalty .

Omozoje gave the charged during the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA)regimental dinner night in honour of passing out cadets of short service course 47 army on Thursday in Kaduna.

According to him ,as they been trained they should stick to the virtue of loyalty.

“They must be loyal to the service ,they must remained loyal to this nation.

“They should be committed to their assignment, that is what is required.

“If they stay committed raising top to this career will be given.

He told the cadets that Nigeria demands a military whose leaders demonstrate high standard of character .

“Leaders who conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the time honor tenants of the profession of arms.

Omozoje also told the cadets that in few days will end a phase and begin another as transmission from being cadets to commissioned officers of the Nigerian army .

He noted that officer are essential to the army organizations to command , establish policy and manage resources while balancing risk and caring for the people and families.

“In this light you need a connect sense of responsibility coupled with the right knowledge .

“You must therefore summit to civil requirements for leadership development that will enable you to contribute to the development effectiveness of the Nigerian army in accomplishing assignment task in support of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the constitution.

“Hence you must be leaders who are physically and mentally fit,highly motivated and decipline willing to share in the hardship and danger and inspire your men to follow you even into the darkest of places,”he said.

A group, Arewa Think Right Group has tasked journalists to cross check information, facts and clarify from reliable sources before going to press.

The charge was handed out by the National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Hamza Alkasim, in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Thursday December 9, 2021, in which they frowned at those responsible for reports, alleging that a former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (Rtd) was arrested by the Departmental of State Security Services (DSS)

“We were shocked and totally disappointed with media houses that reported the news as the former COAS, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (Rtd) was arrested by the DSS.
This is a blatant lie. The former COAS was never invited nor arrested by the DSS.

“Without mincing words, we categorically state that although we heard another Dambazau was arrested, it was not the former COAS they declared.

They wondered why some media organisations published the story as such, adding that it is a clear case of mischief.

“Linking the former COAS, General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau to DSS arrest was not fair, because he was never invited nor arrested. Instead, one Brigadier General Idris Bello Dambazau (Rtd) was arrested,” they stressed

The group said that the Former COAS was a man of proven integrity and respect who contributed and served his fatherland with passion and humility.