Vice President-Elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), and other eminent Nigerians on Saturday launched three books authored by award winning journalist, Jibrin Baba Ndace, a veteran Defence Correspondent.
This is just as the Vice President-elect described former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (rtd), as one of the “most visible Generals” Nigeria has ever had.
The three books written in honour of General Buratai include “Walking the War Front with Lt. Gen. TY Buratai,” “Duty Call Under Buratai’s Command” and “The Lonely Grave and Other Poems.”
The trilogy’s presentation and launching event took place at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
The books which highlights the war against Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency in the North-east of Nigeria, were written specifically to aid in the visualization of the horrors terrorists have visited on citizens and how the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, Civilian JTF confronted them under the leadership of the 20th Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai.
The VP-elect, represented by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, a former Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, lauded Buratai for his doggedness in the fight against insurgency.
He said the efforts of Buratai and his colleagues had resulted in Nigeria currently recording less incidences of terrorist attacks since 2011.
Magashi, represented by Major General A.T Jibril (rtd) Special Adviser Technical to the Minister, said Buratai was a patriotic officer who did his best for the safety of Nigerians.
He said the author was able to portray the fact that it is possible for civilians to interface with combatants. on his part, noted that the media, in particular, has a responsibility as warranted by the principle of developmental journalism not to incite hate and inflame passion, but to inform, educate and mobilize support for the armed forces.
The Defence Minister said: “I therefore, congratulate Gen. Buratai for his exceptional and patriotic service to our fatherland, and wish the author greater milestone in his career and new-found role as a contributor to military history.”
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lieutenant General Leo Irabor, eulogized Buratai for leading from the front and listening to his subordinates.
General Irabor, who spoke in a goodwill message, explained that this was exemplified by General Buratai joining troops to fight insurgents from the frontline, so as to encourage and lift the morale of the latter.
Buratai, while speaking, appreciated the author for documenting the historic period he served as Nigeria’s 20st Army Chief.
In his remarks, Buratai, while appreciating the author for documenting his achievements, urged those still serving in the military to keep up the fight against insurgency until total peace is achieved.