Tobias Sylvester
The immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), said he has nothing to say to those opposing his ambassadorial appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.
KanyiDaily recalls that President Buhari had last week nominated Buratai and other immediate past service chiefs as non-career ambassadors-designate.
Speaking on Sunday night in Abuja during a dinner organised in his honour by members of 29th Regular Course Association, Buratai said that he performed creditably well during his tenure as service chief.
Commenting on his appointment as an envoy and that of his colleagues, Buratai said: “It’s an honourable retirement and also an honourable appointment. I’m not a politician, so, I have no word for the opposition. I have done well.
On his tenure as Chief of Army Staff, he said, “I am happy that in July last year, my officers at the Army headquarters compiled a compendium of my achievements.
“In fact, I can’t even remember all the projects that we have executed. Is it in terms of infrastructure? Is it in terms of capacity building? Is it in terms of training?
“Since I was appointed, there was never a dull moment in terms of training. Remember the various exercises. These are training exercises from ‘Python dance’, ‘Crocodile smile’, and even the latest one ‘Exercise Sahel Sanity’.
“Is it in the area of medical? In terms of education of our children and wards, the Nigerian Army University are all great achievements.”
The past service chief expressed sincere gratitude to Buhari for appointing him as Chief of Army Staff and reiterated that he discharged his responsibilities to the best of his ability.
He also showered encomiums on Nigerians from various walks of life that supported him with prayers, advice, and words of encouragement that made him achieve so much as COAS.
“I must appreciate all Nigerians, my well-wishers, the youths, elders, men and women for their continuous prayers, goodwill and support to the Nigerian Army and me in the course of our duties to bring about peace and security in our country,” he said.
He also thanked the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, and his North-East counterparts, who 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.”
Buratai stated that his appointment was a special price for his father, the late Alhaji Yusufu Buratai, a well-known staunch loyalist of President Buhari.
KanyiDaily had published a video that shows Nigerian soldiers dancing, rejoicing and jubilating over the sack of General Tukur Buratai as the Chief of Army Staff.
