By David Onmeje
Nigeria is 60. The country clocked the Diamond Jubilee last Friday. This calls for celebrations. It has been a journey of ups and downs, a journey of sorrows and lots of laughter, and a journey of incredible feats in the life of Nigeria.
The 60-year-old journey of Nigeria can be a best seller any day and time because of the various intrigues that have characterised our very existence. We have had our fair share of glory regardless of what some want us to believe and see ourselves as failures. Nigeria is indeed a great nation blessed with good people.
Our ethnic diversities even though threatened many times remain our source of strength and will continue to be in the years ahead. Each ethnic group has its unique strength, which we have been able to pool together to make Nigeria a force to reckon with among the comity of nations. On the African continent as well as globally, we are respected for the exploits of our citizenry in various fields and endeavours. From universities in the United States to those in Europe, Nigerian students are shattering records. In the entertainment industry, our artistes are topping global charts and our movie industry has grown to become the second most prolific in the world. Mention one human endeavour and chances are that a Nigerian is in top echelon in the world.
It is, therefore, a Diamond Jubilee worth rolling out the drums in excitement. Those who feel we do not are not facing the facts. Before we celebrate, it is expedient that we understand that of all the issues in Nigeria, the issue of security of lives and property has remained a daunting task for successive governments in the country. And this was made more complicated since the outbreak of the Boko Haram insurgency in Northeast. This is not a usual kind of battle.
Security remains the backbone for sustainable growth and development in any given society, Nigeria inclusive. And that we have been able to stay united despite the upsurge of the activities of terrorist and militant groups is indeed commendable and that is why I have always extended my support and words of encouragement to the fighting men under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. His leadership has recorded significant strides for the Nigerian Army.
If we must admit, the coming of Lt. Gen. Buratai as the Chief of Army Staff was indeed timely and strategic in the sense that he inherited a Nigerian Army that was meant to be the pride of the nation in a most terrible and inert state. An army that was almost stripped naked by the Boko Haram insurgents that bestrode the Northeast like a colossus. For those who do not understand the war against terror, they easily point at the Boko Haram challenge as evidence that the country is not at peace. Anywhere in the world fighting terror has never been a tea party. Ask Turkey and Syria if in doubt. It is worth remembering that the terrorist elements took over 16 local government areas in states in Northeast and schoolgirls were freely abducted from their dormitories, with the Nigerian Army oftentimes appearing helpless and were in fact notorious for making “technical and tactical” withdrawals from the theatre of operations whenever they come under heavy bombardment from Boko Haram terrorists.
The situation was so terrible that Nigeria was at the brink of collapse as a result, coupled with the activities of other militant groups. Ethnic militias, especially in the Niger Delta, were also not helping matters. During a lecture in the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, it was expressly stated that the years 2009 to 2015 was the worst period in the annals of Nigeria aside the civil war period. The nation fought a bitter civil war for three years and emerged from it and has proven wrong bookmakers who predicted that it would disintegrate and all its regions would go their separate ways.
But for the turnaround introduced in the Nigerian Army, Nigeria would have quaked under the Boko Haram onslaught. Within a record period, the Nigerian Army was able to turn the tides against the Boko Haram sect; capturing their operational headquarters in the dreaded Sambisa can only be a reflection of the personality and commitment of Buratai. The army deserves our support and prayer. If I have my way, religious centres should be praying for the soldiers in every service and Nigerians should do all in our capacity to support them.
This is where Buratai deserves to be referenced in terms of the effectiveness of counterinsurgency operations given the relative success of the counterinsurgency operations under his watch. He has shown that once there is a will, there would always be a way.
The Nigerian Army’s exploits deserve commendation. Buratai’s acumen was brought to bear at the time that Nigeria needed a messiah to lead the war against terror. And from all indications, he has proven to all that Africa and indeed Nigeria is never short of good men and women with the right motivation and opportunity will deliver on any task and within a record time.
We must commend and encourage performing men like Buratai to continue to do more exploit in service to fatherland. Those who understand what it means to lead troops in asymmetric warfare as well as internal security operations simultaneously would not hesitate to sing the praise his praise.
Many youths, I believe, decided to join the Nigerian Army because of the leadership on display. More youths need to imbibe some of his traits for Nigeria to be a better place free from terror attacks.
As we continue to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of our country, we should also take out time to honour those that have been outstanding in service to Nigeria. Lt. Gen. Buratai qualifies as one.
- Onmeje wrote this piece from the United Kingdom.
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