Connect with us

Columns

General Buratai: A Sparse Speaker And Still This Legendary Character

Published

on

General Buratai: A Sparse Speaker And Still This Legendary Character

By: James Bwala

It was difficult to convince some active-duty and retired military personnel to talk to them about the former Army Chief Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai. Meeting some of these serving officers in the barracks was like daring to enter the lion’s den to steal part of his prey. But even on dangerous terrain, I have done so several times in my job as a journalist. Soldiers are just ordinary folks like us. The difference is the brutal training they underwent to transform from civilians to war machines with the aim of defending a nation’s integrity.

Unless one hits on their beast of prey, these brothers in green uniforms and welding with weapons while standing in their boots in their solidly guts are frequently soft and gentle. Since I have been an investigative journalist with a focus on security reporting for many years, I am aware of the circumstances in which troops would wish to be featured in a story while discussing a sensitive issue. As a result, I gave them the normal assurances of anonymity in the spirit of journalism. And I stick by my commitment to these hapless soldiers who are confined within the barracks’ four walls.

Although they spoke well of the former Army chief, the fear of being witch-hunted by those who may not like their positions on General Buratai should be respected. As such, I have given my words not to mention them in my stories but their mouths have spoken many truths that makes the former COAS the envy of some comrades who lost the spirit of comradeship, which should continue for a lifetime as members of the war spirits.

General Buratai (rtd)

One of the men who spoke with me described former Army Chief Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai as a cherub with eyes over all his wings and therefore, nothing would catch him off guard. ” He is gentle yet strong. I am not surprised that some of his colleagues are envious of his rising political status after retirement. I know some of these stories from your questions but you did not hear anything from me.” One of the Officers said.” You know what they always said, just act like you don’t know, “he added.

I think there should be a curriculum for retired generals and soldiers who are delving into politics after retirement. The unethical approaches and loss of comradeship is tiring the long-known military sayings from the regimented wombs. It was said that, when you have an enemy, he tags along with other enemies to discuss you. But in the end, they are all enemies of one another. As such, whatever they discussed about you in the closet, everything is made open by one of them in the final analysis.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/unhcr-ukraine-other-conflicts-have-forcibly-push-displaced-persons-worldwide-over-100-million-mark/

The Legendary Buratai

One of them may have revealed the gathering of a few retired generals at the home of one of those hosting them to talk politics and how to keep the former army chief general Tukur Yusuf Buratai away from the Tinubu camp at the table where dirt was hatched on how to control the Tinubu administration in the coming days. Some of the former generals present at the conference, as well as the opponents, are entering politics on the wrong footings. I purposely chose not to reveal their names in this article, but we do have lists of them.

“They just got together and decided to do all in their power to keep former Army Chief Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai far away from the Tinubu administration.  They also had big plans for a smear campaign against him. We must pay close attention to these politics and the flood of retired military personnel. I would like a scenario in which retired military commanders or any other uniformed individuals should be sent back to school to refresh their knowledge of civilian life before re-entering society. Concern is warranted given certain former officers’ actions and what is now going on in our nation with politicians and uniformed personnel.” An impeccable source revealed

Last Tuesday, we revealed efforts to discredit the former chief of the army, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, due to internal political conflicts and anticipations for the appointments the Tinubu government is expected to make in the coming days. Truth be told, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, as reserved as he was, was a crucial component of the security architecture and made a lasting impression on the Nigerian military, making him a legendary figure. It makes sense why he has been the target of those who believe they can erase his accomplishments by tearing him down.

Gen. Buratai

“If the barracks could talk, they would be able to tell you numerous tales about General Buratai that set him apart from other army chiefs who came before him, especially this one who is inviting guests to his home to talk about Buratai. Buratai is still the only military Chief, who receives the same positive feedback from many comrades as the former military president (IBB) does within the military enclaves, if for no other reason. Therefore, it follows that General Buratai won the soldiers’ respect not because he has been the COAS the longest, but rather because he is familiar with their way of thinking.” One of the troops explained.

Indeed, when a general treated his troops as his own children, as they said, they would accompany him into any valley to vanquish his foes. Because of this, nothing concerning the former Army Chief that occurred within or outside the barracks would escape his notice within a 24-hour period. I believe that his soldiers are still showing him thanks by doing this.

General Buratai: A Sparse Speaker And Still This Legendary Character

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Columns

Osama, For Good Governance and Social Justice Through the Radio

Published

on

Osama, For Good Governance and Social Justice Through the Radio

By: Balami Lazarus

Osama. Does it ring a bell? Yes, it does on the Plateau. The Osama I am writing about is that individual who is known for his good works for humanity on the radio and outside the studio. Osama is a gentleman but is outspoken and has a mind of his own.

My Osama in this context is a personality, a brand, and a trademark. Osama is a broadcaster, radio presenter, and popular comedian on stage and in the entertainment industry in Jos-Plateau and beyond. Since the writing is sailing, I will later reveal the identity of who this young man is and why he is so passionate about good governance.

The fights for human rights, social justice, and good governance have been the cries and topic of discourse of so many Nigerians, especially good governance. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and human rights activists are the leaders in these struggles, whereby their roles cannot be overemphasized. The quantum of spoken words, public lectures/enlightenment programs, workshops, seminars, etc., has not brought many changes in our systems because there was little or no action by you and me as Nigerians.

I remembered when I was very active in the struggle for human rights and social justice. As Deputy Secretary General (DSG) of Democratic Alternative (DA), we were much concerned with democratic alternative processes and social justice with a whiff of good governance, and this has been the case for some NGOs, as I know.

I came to understand from my experiences that, as a country, we have good public-oriented programs, but our major challenges are implementation and follow-up that come with too many talks but no individual action or collective responsibility because many Nigerians are fearful, and this has made me a one-man advocate/crusader for human rights and social justice. Like the subject of this work.

Now back to the subject. Osama is a brand package, fearless advocate, and mouthpiece for good governance on the Plateau through Town Hall, a popular radio program aired by JFM 101.9 FM. Jos is widely listened to. He was born as Ehis Akugnonu. But Osama has overtaken his certified name. Therefore, my continued use of Osama is justified in this work because I realized that many times your other name (also known as) tends to dominate and overshadow your real name.

Osama is redefining the fight for good governance by personal efforts through follow-up and speaking on them, putting the government on their feet to improve and do better. ‘I am for good governance, and I will continue to speak on this matter.’ He is purposefully driven by his passion for good quality and better systems to have an enabling environment where the systems are working for progress and development.

Balami, a publisher/columnist 08036779290

Osama, For Good Governance and Social Justice Through the Radio

Continue Reading

Columns

In Marriage Nest, Spouses Are Dying Ignoring Red Flags and The Panacea (2)

Published

on

In Marriage Nest, Spouses Are Dying Ignoring Red Flags and The Panacea (2)

By: Balami Lazarus

I saw it coming. As a writer, my works and I have been verbally attacked several times. I raised an eyebrow at how some readers react by using bad language on issues, opinions, and views. Well, that is their way of expression when they are displeased, but I feel it is grotty.

And here is the conclusion of the “controversial piece,” as one caller puts it. For me, there is nothing controversial about this discourse but the truth of the grotesque happenings in married homes. And the way out, as I earlier wrote, is divorce.

Recently there has been an inflation of brutal murders in marriages; those killed are mostly women and children, and fewer men. What justification does one have to continue in a marriage where there are threats, violence, and unhappiness generated by the presence of either the husband or the wife? And unknowingly one becomes prey hunted by an in-house predator.

Sharks areamong the most intelligent aquatic animals. Their sense of smell is very sharp; they can smell and detect blood or any red object in water from a far distance and come for it at near the speed of light. Therefore, women’s body chemistry is like that of sharks; they sense and notice things easily. But what is wrong with many of them in marriage that they are unable to detect landmines or red flags early in their marriages? Where there is a threat to life with the intention to hurt, harm, and/or cause grievous injury or death, that is when they realize they are living in gross bondage if they are lucky to come out of it alive.

As students at Pluto College Sharam in Kanke-Plateau State, we were told and made to understand as boys to treat our girl students with love and care and be there for them when the need arises. That was one of the lessons that came from the late Dr. Sumaila Ndayako (Rector), as he was known and called. As boys, we dared not humiliate, insult, or threaten them in any way; rather, we were to take them as our sisters by extension. This has taught me to respect and care for the opposite sex.

Moreover, my association, membership, and experience with some human rights organizations have enlightened me with rights, liberties, and freedom garnished by respect for individual differences, rights and privileges, consent, and action. With this knowledge put together, I consider marriage never a do-or-die affair but a privilege with consent to be a husband to a woman who also has rights/consent to be a wife and live in matrimony. Why then humiliation, abuses, and domestic violence?

I have observed in my experience as a married man that if you take away some women from their husbands, they will die, and vice versa. Despite the domestic violence and abuses inflicted on either party, he/she is willing and prefers to die in such gothic marriage situations because one among them has a deep spiritual attachment to the marriage. This is common in Christendom, where “till death do us part.” My question here is, what kind of death? Intentional, accidental, or natural? This created injunction clause does not hold water in life-threatening marriages.

Living in a shark-jaws marriage, I always blamed women who had seen the red flags but refused to leave such marriages and the house-husband (husband). I further came to understand that patience and the pretext that all is well have caused damage to both spouses in terms of emotional and traumatic agonies and some to their graves.

Therefore, spouses that are trapped in this valley of death with its quagmire should know that marriage is a thing of choice. Likewise, divorce is permissible as a panacea for both to be alive to breathe freely.

Balami, a publisher/columnist, 0803677929

In Marriage Nest, Spouses Are Dying Ignoring Red Flags and The Panacea (2)

Continue Reading

Columns

In Marriage Nest, Spouses Are Dying, Ignoring Red Flags, and The Panacea (1)

Published

on

In Marriage Nest, Spouses Are Dying, Ignoring Red Flags, and The Panacea (1)

By: Balami Lazarus

In the quite beautiful town of Zhimbutu, where men held sway, lording over their wives, some with brutality, few with love,

care and romance others in different ways. While some women are also lords over their husbands with impunity. Fear of getting married gripped young ladies seeing the ways their mothers were being treated and relegated to the background in the affairs of their homes as married women.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Kwanchinkwalo Xhosa is full of regrets, anger, and bitterness, where Mrs. Xhosa has been treated as an object in the marriage partnership. The red spots were obviously fermented with bubbles ready for brewing.

Similarly, some good number of marriage homes are full of regrets where love, peace, and understanding

and harmony are strangers rejected and kept in a labyrinth of doom where one of the parties is placed in a perpetual tan of unhappiness surrounded by fear in the thickness of smoke, a forced resident.

Long before, now as a young man, a legitimate product of marriage. I took marriage as a mere secular social contract of partnership bounded in love and understanding where two have agreed to live together as husband and wife in matrimony.

However, I have never taken marriage to be a do-or-die affair, which has been the stock of some persons, even when and if the two—husband and wife—can no longer live together, having exhausted reasonable avenues to no avail. Here I am.

for outright divorce as a panacea for the final dissolution of the marriage.

To this day, I have been asking myself, why did I even get married in the first place? For sex, procreation, companionship, norms, tradition, or obligation? While marriage to a larger extent has deprived me and many others of some air of freedom and liberties to do or not to do at any space of time, I suppose. Moreover, the enterprise called marriage has taken away the ‘who’ in many men and

women and made them something else. It has further forcefully taken the lives of many spouses who ignored the red flags and fear of divorce. And besides, many have taken upon themselves to live or die in an unhappy/venomous venture of marriage that is infested with ‘dysentery’ and ‘cholera,’ where death is lurking because husbands or wives lack the guts, will , ability, and/or capacity to invoke the dead-end solution.

Let me now punctuate the work with some questions: Were you forced into it? Was it under duress? Was it at gunpoint? I believed the answers were all no. What will then prevent an individual from liquidating his unprofitable marital interest in such an intense business called marriage to be free from wahala that may likely result in crime?

In such a situation, I advocate for divorce as the only and final panacea, which has a comfortable place as a clause in my dictionary of marriage. Divorce is rarely used in some quarters, no matter what. While my wife and I have sincerely agreed in the course of our marriage journey that at any point in time, with or without any reason/cause, either party can quietly and peacefully walk out of the marriage to avoid who knows what?

In the history of failed marriages and crime findings, it has been shown that one of the parties is forcing his/herself on the other spouse because one of them has a profound and compounded emotional or spiritual attachment to the marriage. The case of the late Mrs. Osinachi Nwachukwu (2023), the gospel singer, was a classical example. Patience and excessive spiritual attachment led to her being killed by her husband, one Mr. Nwachukwu. The same is also applicable to men who fall victim in the hands of their wives. This situation has created two prime suspected killers living in a marriage cocoon.

Balami, a publisher/columnist. 08036779290

In Marriage Nest, Spouses Are Dying, Ignoring Red Flags, and The Panacea (1)

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights