By Lawrence Bilal Audu
Elder statesman and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, has commended Ambassador Tukur Yusufu Buratai for his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s educational development, particularly in fostering youth leadership and critical thinking.
Ambassador Kingibe, who gave the commendation while chairing the 2024 Young Adult Literature Prize Award Ceremony organized by the TY Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI), praised Buratai’s dedication to nurturing young talent.
Remembering his years in the military, Ambassador Kingibe recalled the massive research-based transformation the Army witnessed during his administration as Army Chief, as well as the capacity and intellectual development of both officers and soldiers.
Ambassador Kingibe underscored the enduring power of literature as the foundation for effective communication, despite technological advancements. “Technology cannot erode the power of the written word,” he said, pledging his partnership in TYBLI’s next edition to continue nurturing young talent in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Chief Host former Chief of Army Staff, and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd), emphasized the importance of writing in personal development, communication, and leadership. “Writing is very important in developing one’s knowledge, vision, and ability to communicate,” he stated.
“Leaders must express themselves, and for you to express yourself very well, you must write.”
Reflecting on his own experience as a member of literary and drama clubs during his school years, Buratai emphasized the importance of writing for personal development, communication, and leadership. “Leaders must express themselves, and for you to express yourself very well, you must write. If you don’t document what you have in mind, you may tend to forget it. But once you document it, it opens opportunities to benefit society,” he added.
He expressed gratitude to participants, supporters, and partners, including Hajiya Hauwa Aliyu and the British Council. Buratai also hinted at plans to increase prize money and potentially offer scholarships to winners pursuing secondary or higher education.
The event, held at the Tukur Buratai Research Centre in Gora, Nasarawa State, saw zonal winners from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones receive N250,000 each, while overall winner Taofeek Olatunbosun took home N1 million.
Taofeek Olatunbosun, the event’s star, thanked TYBLI and Ambassador Buratai for the honor. He promised to serve as a worthy ambassador for the initiative, committed to honing his writing skills and inspiring others in the literary community.
The TY Buratai Literary Initiative seeks to develop Nigeria’s youth into leaders by encouraging them to engage in writing, critical thinking, and self-expression. This aligns with the importance of critical thinking in leadership development, as it enables leaders to understand the impact of their decisions on the business as a whole and ensures alignment with organizational goals and accountability for results.