Forum of Ex-councilors Honours Buratai with Award of Excellence

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The National Forum of Ex-Councilors, on Thursday honoured a former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, with Award of Excellence as a ‘Philanthropist per Excellence’.

While presenting the award, the President of the forum, Mr Awwal Hassan, said it was the first time the forum would be giving out such award to a former service chief.

Hassan said that Buratai earned the award because of his achievements in office as army chief who led the counter-insurgency war from the front and his heart for the vulnerable in the society.

He added that the former COAS also stood out among his contemporaries in the area of philanthropy for helping a lot of vulnerable people in the society in the area of empowerment and education support.

He urged him not to relent in his positive disposition to helping the less privileged and the youth to find their dreams, praying that great opportunities to serve the nation await him.

The Vice President of the forum, Mr Ismaila Mumin said the forum of Ex-Councilors was a Non-Governmental Organisation floated by some concerned youth activists to foster unity in diversity and cordial understanding among the teaming youth in the country.

He said the organisation had vibrant and functional structures in all 774 local governments of Nigeria to sensitise and mobilise the youth to promote peace and peaceful co- existence in their respective areas among others.

He said the governing body of the forum of the decided to give the prestigious award of Excellence as philanthropist per excellence for the year 2022 to Butatai on the basis of his many records of achievements.

“Our decision in this respect is in line with the teaching in our national anthem that the effort of our heroes should not be allow to go in vain,” he said.

Members of the forum also urged Buratai to be ready to vie for political office in future, saying the nation was in need of his experience and patriotism.

Responding, Buratai thanked the forum for recognising his efforts while in service and pledged to continue to support the vulnerable and the less privileged in the society.

He said that a lot had been done to uplift the living conditions of people at the grass roots and it still continuing, saying the award was a true reflection of what Buratai is and what he stood for.

According to him, It is a great honor to him and his family and to the military in general, including the defence correspondents that were with him in the fields as army chief.

According to him, there were several projects right from when he was a colonel supporting the grassroots for them to do trade in farming.

“We started with the woman, the most vulnerable, especially in the rural areas, but later on we extended it to men and youth. So we are continuing.

“So, this award is a true reflection of what Buratai is and what he stands for.

“You also appreciated my service while I was in the army as Chief of Army Staff and I want to assure you that this recognition is highly appreciated and the award is also accepted by me.

“So, such confidence you have reposed in me by giving me this award will not be disappointed or will not be taken for granted. as such,” he said.

On the call to run for office in future, the former ambassador said he was available to take the challenge to serve the people and the nation at all times. (NAN)