COAS Buratai: The Chief with the Midas Touch By Olaniyi Odina

Lt. Gen. TY Buratai was appointed as the Chief of Army Staff on July 13, 2015. Since his assumption of office, everything he touched has changed to gold. His service to Nigeria can be likened to that of mythical King Midas of ancient Greek. He has outperformed all other COAS in the history of our nation. For the lack of space, this article will concentrate on his revolutionary development of the army in the areas of operational effectiveness, infrastructural development, educational advancements and welfare of both serving and retired gentlemen officers and soldiers.

Before his appointment as the COAS, Our nation was technically facing wars on all fronts. The nation had lost a substantial part of its territory to invading Boko Haram elements. The Niger Delta avengers and other faceless groups made nation bleed in South-South. IPOB agitators were fomenting trouble in the South East. Kaduna axis of the nation was in crisis instigated by the Shite movement. The tasks before COAS Buratai were huge. Many onlookers didn’t expect much, many prayed that he succeeded and bring our nation back to the path of peace and tranquillity. Over three years down the line he has performed far above expectations. Due to the operational effectiveness of the COAS through right appointments and improved morale for our soldiers. In few months after assuming office, Boko Haram that tormented the people of the North East and wrecked havoc on communities were gagged. COAS Buratai himself has been targeted by these enemies of the nation, his hometown of Buratai has being attacked severally. To COAS Buratai the battle against Boko Haram was both a call to national duty and an opportunity to do a decisive battle with people that have constituted themselves into enemies of Lt. Gen Buratai and the Good people of Buratai community. With the arrival of COAS Buratai, many of us knew that the days of active Boko Haram cells were numbered and never again will miscreants hold parts of the nation. The battle was short and effective, the last and most fortified stronghold of Boko Haram (Sambisa Forest) fell to the gallant officers of the Nigeria Army in no time. Similar effective battles were held against militant groups in the Niger Delta, with the effective deployment of carrot and stick approach to warfare Niger Delta is now very peaceful. The issue with IPOB, which threatened the oneness of our Nationhood was handled with clinical accuracy with which a neurological surgeon handles brain operation. On December 12 2015, Nigerians woke to a bizarre news of the attack on the convoy of the COAS with the Midas Touch by members of Shite Movement of Nigeria. Again the cancer of the Shite Movement was classically taken off and they no longer constitute a problem to the good people of Kaduna and environs. These operational feats could only be achieved by an officer naturally gifted with operational capacity and administrative acumen.

For an army that has suffered years of infrastructural neglect, it is very refreshing to have a Chief that is very interested in the growth of infrastructure and maintenance of moribund ones. The Midas Touch of the COAS can be felt in all military barracks and formations across the nation. Recently, I paid a working to the Army Headquarters the seat of operational and administrative power of the army. The place is wearing a new look. The level of refurbishment that has taken place there is highly commendable. All offices are looking very beautiful, with lifts installed in strategic locations and renovations that leaves my mouth agape and arms akimbo in astonishment. The news of heavy constructions going on in the heart of Sambisa forest is a testament to the infrastructural drive of the COAS. On June 3rd 2018, Nigerians were welcomed with the cheering news that the Nigeria Army Property Investment Limited under the leadership of COAS Buratai has put a process in motion that will see to the development of Apple Island. This massive real estate project is a 45 hectares land that contains all features of modern living. This project is the most ambitious and audacious project ever undertaken by the military of our nation in its history. The Nigerian Army is blessed to have such a COAS that loves the development of infrastructures.

It is a popular saying that no nation grows beyond it educational advancement. The efforts of COAS Buratai to set up Nigeria Army University is not only commendable but also praiseworthy. The academic community rolled it drums when COAS Buratai approached the NUC for the registration of Nigerian Army University to be situated at Biu in Borno State. Unlike the very many military academic institutions we have in the country, the NA University will cater for both the civilian and military population. The University will strike an equilibrium between the regimental life of military training and academic freedom of civilian life. This institution when fully operational will afford a lot of soldiers that entered the rank and file of the army with SSCE the opportunity of getting a university degree without compromising the military discipline they have acquired through training. Officers and soldiers with University degrees will be afforded the opportunity of getting post-graduate degrees. This University will make many Nigerians access good quality education. This innovation will impact positively on the drive to have a good and affordable education for all Nigerians. The impact of COAS Buratai is also felt in the training and retraining of officers. Military training institutions in the country under COAS Buratai have grown to be world class institutions. A good number of officers and soldiers have gone on more foreign training than recorded in the history of the army. As part of this improvement in the educational development Col. Charles Nengite made Nigeria proud when the army under Buratai sent him on a foreign course. The Midas Touch of the COAS was also felt in the area of recruitment of soldiers and enlistment of officers, the army under his watch has ensured that only the educationally, mentally and emotionally qualified join the army. This has greatly helped in sharpening the army into a modern fighting force. This trend should be encouraged to spread to all agencies and departments of government.

The general welfare of soldiers under the COAS is greatly looked into with utmost concern and forthrightness. The salaries and allowances of officers and men are now paid as and when due. Military hardware is no more a concern in the battlefront as soldiers are no longer complaining about old and worn out military gadgets. Retired officers and soldiers are also not left out in the Random Acts of Kindness by the COAS.

This administration will be remembered in the annals of our military history as the one with the Midas Touch that changed the history of the army from one that is faceless and heartless to one that is responsible, and professional in the discharge of its constitutional duties. Lt. Gen. TY Buratai once asserted that “My greatest fulfilment is with the progress that has been made in the war against Boko Haram since I resumed as the Chief of Army Staff,”. His achievements are actually abundant that it will be difficult to pinpoint the greatest. The tempo of such achievements should be encouraged to continue.

Olaniyi Odina could be contacted through: olaniyiodina@gmail.com

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