Naturally, every human being has limitations. Therefore, in whatever he does, attaining the absolute mark of perfection is usually a near impossibility. But there are a chosen few, ordained by God Himself, who are gifted. For this category of men and women, splendor splashes their outings with the awesome mark of perfection in all nuances.
In ordinary parlance, they are identified as geniuses! They are men and women who have proverbially sucked from the fountain of knowledge or wisdom of the ancient philosopher Kings and they do apply it effectively.
Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai is Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and a rugged, but admirable soldier, whom President Muhammedu Buhari entrusted with the herculean task of leading the counter-insurgency war in the country. His every step has flaunted him as a proud member of the heritage of the few leadership geniuses bestriding the landscapes of Nigeria.
Interestingly, in soldiering, leadership and interactions with humanity and the world generally, Gen. Buratai has amply demonstrated over decades his competence to hit the excellent bar on anything he devotes his time and energy. There are a dozen leadership qualities craftsmen of social psychology have approved as indispensable for those aspiring to reach the leadership zenith. Pleasantly surprising, the current Nigeria’s Army Chief has voraciously consummated all.
If one begins serially from the English alphabet’s letter “A” which prescribes the necessity of a leader possessing the right “Attitude” to work in order to inspire followers, Gen. Buratai overflows with it. His positive attitude to work by handling all assignments with all seriousness has inspired confidence and commitment from all Army personnel to toe this path throughout Nigeria.
As leader of Nigerian Army, Gen. Buratai demonstrates in words and actions that lukewarm attitude towards work or special assignments is not a positive virtue. It explains why despite his tight official schedules, he still finds time to occasionally battle the extremists Islamic sect, Boko Haram insurgents in the trenches alongside troops. He also leads some training sessions of special strike teams or troops deployed for the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria’s Northeast.
In developing countries like Nigeria, the military profession is deemed to have been peopled with haughty men and women who are unapproachable, harsh and unreasonably brutish by virtue of the “khaki” uniforms they wear and the guns they possess. Therefore, humility is a virtue that has deserted most of military personnel. But Gen. Buratai has redefined the conduct and perception of the people on army personnel, with his uncommon humility. So, in spite of his high office, wealth of knowledge or experience and status as the number one soldier in Nigeria, he does not allow it to influence his interactions neither with troops nor the civil populace.
The success Nigeria has recorded in defeating Boko Haram insurgents streams largely from his humility which has earned him willing loyalty and compliance with directives from troops. Gen. Buratai is not the bossy boss. He freely mingles with his troops on the battlefield, sleeps in their camps and devotes time to listen to the personal problems of army personnel to provide remedy. From the least Army officer, to the highest, Gen. Buratai accords the same attention. He listens to his everyone; subordinates and peers or colleagues.
He extends similar mien to the civil populace. In leading the anti-terrorism campaigns, Gen. Buratai is sometimes unduly bashed by the public. When baseless accusations are leveled on his person or the Nigerian Army deliberately by detractors to stimulate indignation, he calms down and responds to them humbly, respectfully and decently. He makes detractors see the truth, rather than the contrived falsehood they peddle. He does not claim to know all about the terrorism warfare, but throws his doors open to even civilians either in the office in Abuja or at the warzone to welcome worthy suggestions or information critical to the counter-insurgency.
A good leader must necessary be patriotic to a cause and in the case of the military, to his country to be able to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Gen. Buratai does not only exude it, but preaches patriotism to troops at the slightest opportunity. He anchors his sermons of patriotism on the need for the Nigerian Army personnel to abide by the dictates of professionalism, loyalty and complete subordination to civil authority. It explains why he came out loud to clear the air when politicians fabricated a tale about some solders plotting a coup in Nigeria. He minced no words in letting the whole world know that the lawful duties of soldiers are not political engagements, but confined to military tasks.
Gen. Buratai has fervently remained committed to the welfare of the Nigerian Army personnel. When he took over the reins of leadership of the Nigerian Army, there were records indicating troops which once or twice attempted mutiny on the battlefield on account of neglect of their welfare. Gen. Buratai has perceived welfare of troops and their families a cardinal priority. He ensures their legitimate entitlements; including salaries and allowances are paid promptly and regularly.
He does not abandon army personnel wounded on the battlefield to their fate, but ensures they are given the best of medical attention for quick recovery. In spite of his tight schedules, he spares time to visit families of Army officers in different barracks in Nigeria to get firsthand knowledge of their peculiar problems and solves them instantly. He has launched and supported an agricultural programme for the Nigerian Army Officers Wives in order to boost their economic power, rather than solely depending on salaries and allowances of their spouses. Gen. Buratai has launched an Army Housing scheme, targeted at ensuring every Nigerian soldier who participates in the counter-insurgency war, retires from the Army to a befitting personal house at a location of his choice in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Army boss is perceptively generous to a fault. His generosity manifests in his constant promotions or elevation of deserving officers who have made exceptional exploits in the anti-terrorism campaigns. At special festivities such as Sallah, Christmas and New Year celebrations, Gen. Buratai dusts off officialdom, by spending time in the camps with soldiers and personally sponsors carnivals for Army personnel to wine and dine. This is the sermon that civilians and everyone that who encounters him preaches after every meeting with him.
Gen. Buratai has broken the jinx in the Army on observance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to communities in Nigeria. The Nigerian Army under his guidance now execute projects in water, electricity and roads constructions from its meagre funding for the benefits of host communities. It is his generous intentions in this respect that has motivated his enforcement of the highest standards of accountability, transparency and probity in the administration of the Nigerian Army.
A good leader must be willing and able to make sacrifices for a cause. Gen. Buratai has remained undeterred by the supreme price some army personnel have paid in the counter-insurgency war. Rather than deter him, he is rather spurred and encouraged to confront insurgents more daringly and menacingly, leading to the current victory that the Nigerian troops have recorded in the anti-terrorism campaigns. A workaholic by nature, he sacrifices his personal leisure time to the on-going counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria’s northeast to ensure he posts positive results. He deserts his family for months and has donated all his time to the battle against terrorists, by working round the clock and seven days, a week.
And unintelligent leaders are most times dazzled by subordinates or stampeded into taking wrong decisions. A good leader exhibits brilliance. He does most of the thinking for the best of results. Gen. Buratai’s and his troops would have been crippled long ago by terrorists in the counter-insurgency war, if he had no leadership brilliance. The nature of terrorism war is dynamic.
In Nigeria, Boko Haram terrorists change tactics frequently. From the battlefield ambushes, the terrorists resorted to cyber terrorism when they were decimated and defeated. At every stage, Gen. Buratai would decode and tackle them with fresh tactics and strategies. He has ensured he excels in all assignments and it appears, it is his unwritten norm.
Essentially, Gen. Buratai has caught the image of a professional soldier who has evolved from the clan of geniuses. He is as good on the battlefield, much as in administration. He is one African Army General, who has displayed a courageous and an unyielding spirit towards success, brilliance and excellence everywhere his feet has ingrained in the sand. He is truly an African Army General who has made Nigeria infinitely proud.
