Gen. Buratai Confers With Brazilian Highest Military Honour
BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, was on Tuesday April 25, 2017, conferred with the Brazilian Military Order of Merit Award, at Brasilia, Brazil.
The Brazilian Military Order of Merit Award, which is the highest military honour, is awarded to military officers that have distinguished themselves in various military endeavours.
A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig-General Sani Usman said General Buratai is one of the few foreign dignitaries to be so honoured with such an award by Brazil.
He explained that the prestigious award and its presentation to General Buratai, was based on the approval of President Michel Temer, upon the recommendation of the Brazilian Army Commander, General Eduardo Villas Boas.
Usman further said; “According to citation at the occasion, the award was in recognition of his exemplary and world’s recognized leadership qualities and the Nigerian Army’s effort in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.”
In his remarks after the conferment of the award, the visibly elated General Buratai, said the award and honour was not only to him personally, but to the entire officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army and indeed, Nigeria.
Buratai further said; “I had never imagined that I was going to be given such recognition when I was planning to visit the Brazilian Army. It is no doubt a great honour to me, the Nigerian Army and the Federal Republic of Nigeria to be bestowed with the Brazilian Military Order of Merit which is the highest and most prestigious award in the Brazilian Army”.
He said the award was a clear manifestation of the long standing relationship between Brazil and Nigeria, which also portrays the recognition of Nigerian Army’s effort in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria.
Buratai thanked the government and the people of Brazil, as well as the Commander of Brazilian Army and his staff for finding him worthy of such award and recognition and for the hospitality accorded him and his entourage.
He also expressed hope that his visit would serve as the needed fulcrum for more strengthened relationship between the Nigerian and the Brazilian armies.
