The immediate past Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Tukur Buratai (Rtd), has asserted that he is ready for any other appointment after his retirement from the country’s Military.
Lt Gen. Buratai also posited that he performed very well during his six-year term as COAS.
He specifically listed infrastructural projects and regular training and retraining of personnel as his major achievements adding that the country will understand his impact in about five to 10 years time.
Buratai who spoke shortly after a special gala night organised by members of the 29th Regular Course (RC) Association of the Nigerian Defense Academy in Abuja at the weekend also said he won’t respond to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) criticism over his recent appointment as one of the non-career ambassadors.
Buratai said he would not respond to the PDP’s statement, insisting that he is not a politician.
According to him, “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. 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 term of infrastructure? Is it in term 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.
“I think you can write volumes and volumes of books in terms of the achievements depending on the perspectives you want to take.”
Buratai said the impacts of his efforts as the Chief of Army Staff may not be felt immediately.
He, however, insisted that the country would be having highly qualified officers in the next five to 10 years, “who can carry this military profession to higher heights.”
Speaking of the gala night staged in his honour, Buratai said it showed that he did well as the Chief of Army Staff.
“It feels great [to be celebrated by my colleagues] at this point in time. It means a lot to me in terms of respect, in term of the show of love.
“It’s something of pride that you have been recognised for the service you have rendered to your nation and people,” he said.
A book titled “The stunning performance of a workaholic” written in his honour was also presented and distributed to guests at the event.
Buratai and other Service Chiefs “voluntarily resigned” their positions on 26 January 2021 after months of calls for their sack following a spate of insecurity in different parts of the country, especially in the northeast and the seeming failure of the security agencies to contain it.
Buhari immediately appointed Major-General Leo Irabor Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff as replacements.
However, the President released a list of nominees as non-career ambassadors of the country on 4 February 2021, just nine days after their resignation as Service Chiefs.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) kicked against the move, calling on the President to withdraw the list.
