By Auwal Ahmad, Abuja

Former Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd) has expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal and other dignitaries for their support towards the successful launch of a book documenting his tenure as Army Chief.

The book, Military Transformational Leadership in Action: The Buratai Era, was presented on 16 September 2026 at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites, Asokoro, Abuja.

The appreciation was contained in a statement signed by Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (Rtd)  and made available to journalists in Abuja.

Mr Buratai described the event as a significant gathering of serving and retired military officers, government officials, traditional rulers, diplomats, academics, business leaders, journalists and other stakeholders interested in Nigeria’s security and institutional history.

He expressed particular gratitude to President Tinubu, who served as the Special Guest of Honour, for his support for the event. The President’s message was delivered by Mrs Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens, Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Mr Buratai also appreciated the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, for supporting the Federal Government’s participation in the occasion.

He thanked the Chairman of the event, Alhaji Umaru Abdul Mutallab,  and the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, who presented the book and shared his reflections on the leadership legacy documented in the publication.

The former Army Chief singled out Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal, the Chief Launcher, for special appreciation after he supported the book project with an N150 million donation. He was represented at the event by Alhaji Inuwa Baba.

Mr Buratai also expressed appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Service Chiefs for their representatives at the ceremony.

He thanked the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, for attending the event and for his remarks on the shared responsibility of securing the nation.

Other personalities acknowledged included Major General I.D. Penap (Rtd), who reviewed the book; Lieutenant General Domenico Giani (Rtd), former Commander of the Vatican Gendarmerie Corps; Senator Ali Ndume; and members of the panel who contributed to the discussions.

They included Professor Phillip Dahida, Madam Amina Akano-Bello, Major General Victor Ezugwu (Rtd), Major General JGK Myam (Rtd), Director-General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, and Rear Admiral Adamu Biu (Rtd).

Mr Buratai also appreciated traditional rulers, particularly His Royal Majesty, Oba Hameed Oyelude Makama, Tegboosun III, the Olowu of Owu-Kuta Kingdom, Osun State, and the G12 Obas from the state for their presence and support.

He acknowledged members of the diplomatic community, including the Italian Ambassador, Roberto Mengoni, and the Honorary Consul of Colombia to Nigeria, Maricel Romero, as well as other international guests.

The former Army Chief also commended Sheikh Mustapha Kouyatè, President of the African Peoples Movement, and General Francis A. Behanzin, Chairman and Co-Founder of the World Network of Security and Defence Professionals for the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism, for their participation.

Mr Buratai thanked the author, Dr M.S. Abubakar, for his research and intellectual contribution to the publication, as well as the Institute of Security Nigeria, academics and security researchers who contributed to the broader discourse on defence, intelligence and statecraft.

He also expressed appreciation to the Buratai Legacy Presentation Committee, Sprezzatura Publishing Limited and Clarivox Creative Limited for their roles in organising the event and producing the book.

The former Army Chief said the support and goodwill received before, during and after the event demonstrated the importance attached to documenting Nigeria’s military and institutional history.

He described the success of the book launch as a collective achievement and thanked serving and retired military officers, veterans, diplomats, academics, civil society organisations, journalists and other guests for their contributions.

“The success of the event was not the achievement of any one individual or institution. It was the result of collective effort, shared purpose and the generosity of all who believe in the importance of preserving Nigeria’s institutional memory and learning from its history,” the statement said.

Mr Buratai also thanked the media for covering the event and helping to bring the issues raised in the book to a wider audience.

He said the lessons contained in the publication would continue to contribute to discussions on leadership, national security and institutional development.