Zulum graces Buratai’s pulling out in Abuja; I left Army better than I met it – Buratai

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on Friday attended the ceremonial military pulling out parade in honour of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai which held in Abuja.

Beside Buratai being an indigene of Biu, in Borno, Zulum had worked closely with the former army chief in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.

The colourful pulling out held at Mogadishu Cantonment in Asokoro, the FCT.

Pulling out parade is a military tradition organized to honour retiring military chiefs. Activities marking the event include match past by soldiers with outgoing chiefs receiving valedictory salutes.

At Buratai’s pulling out, a book “Legend of Buratai” written by the former Chief of Army Staff was launched by the minister of Defence, General Bashir Magashi (retired).

Emir of Biu, Mai Mustapha Umar Mustapha II, the Senator Representing Southern Borno and Chairman Committee on Army, Mohammed Ali Ndume and Borno State Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan, accompanied Governor Zulum to honour Buratai at his last activity in military career.

Buratai who served as army chief from 2015 to January 2021, retired this week following President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment of new service chiefs who include Major General Leo Irabor as Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo as Chief of Naval Staff and Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao as the Chief of Air Staff.

I left Nigerian Army better than I met it — Buratai

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Jan. 29, 2021

Meanwhile, Lt.-Gen. Buratai (Retd.) says he left the Nigerian Army better than he met it.

Buratai stated this in his valedictory speech during the Pulling Out Parade by the Nigerian Army on Friday in Abuja.

He said that the army under his watch had achieved tremendous feat in the fight against insurgency and other security threats in the country.

He added that he ensured adequate training of personnel and enhancement of war fare capabilities of the army as well as prioritisation of personnel welfare.

“Today is a day of appreciation and not a stocktaking, but let me put on record that I left Nigerian Army better than I met it.

“The Nigerian Army under my leadership was able to achieve great feat in the fight against insurgency in the country.

“We have been experiencing pockets of threats here and there, but I can confidently say that no part of Nigeria is ceded to any terrorist group or criminals.

“The counter insurgency operation is a warfare new to Nigerian Army but over time, we have continued to device means of tackling the ever evolving dynamic nature of the threats in the country.

“The Nigerian Army has remained resolute in the discharge of its roles as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I urge you all to continue to rise to the occasion,” he said.

Buratai said that while it was always necessary to say goodbye at a point in life, he said it was not easy to find the right words to say goodbye to the courageous and dedicated team that worked with him.

He said that Nigerian Army also made giant strides in infrastructure development across the country.

Buratai commended the officers and soldiers of Nigerian Army for their dedication and loyalty, which he said assisted him to achieve so much in office.

The former COAS also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity to serve the country as well as providing an enabling environment for him to succeed.

He also commended the effort of the government of Borno in the war against insurgency, assuring that the war would soon be a thing of the past.

He urged politicians to always leave military out of politics, adding that the country needed politicians who are statesmen to support the military in addressing the prevailing security challenges.

According to him, there is no gain saying that there cannot be development without security and lack of development breeds insecurity.

He solicited support for the new Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, to be able to deliver on his mandate.

Buratai was officially pulled out of service in a parade held in his honour at Mogadishu Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja.