- The chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai, has won the African Man of the Year 2017 Award
- Buratai won the award for being a rare officer with patriotic zeal in executing the war against Boko Haram
- The Nigerian army also won the Best Institution of the Year 2017 Award
The chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai, has won the African Man of the Year 2017 Award for his commitment to the war against insurgency in Nigeria, the West African sub-region.
The award was also given to the army chief "for being rare officer, a real gentleman, whose patriotic zeal in executing the war against Boko Haram."
Nigerian army also bagged the Best Institution of the Year 2017 for their supreme sacrifices and relentless efforts to clear the country of all forms of criminal elements, including Boko Haram.
The confirmation of this prestigious honour on the chief of army staff and the Nigerian army was made known in Abuja by the Pan-African group, the Coalition For Governance and Leadership in Africa.
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A statement signed by the group's award and privileges committee chairman, Okpokwu Ogenyi, described Buratai as an infantry officer with a, "professional approach to operational planning to fight insurgency is highly plausible."
"For us, the successes so far made in the war against terrorism in Nigeria came as a combination of good leadership enhanced by motivation through enhanced troops morale by the land forces under General Buratai.
"Records available to to us show that, General Buratai's personal sacrifice, commitment, zeal, and determination towards eradicating insurgency in Nigeria, and by extension the whole of West Africa, have not only resulted in the defeat of Boko Haram in Nigeria but has promoted regional peace and stability across African Nations.
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"Pockets of attacks by degraded and fleeing Boko Haram insurgents not withstanding, the Nigerian military as an institution have made unquantifiable supreme sacrifices and given their all to ensure that we all coexist in peace and harmony in the year under review," Ogenyi said.
Ogenyi also noted that the winners emerged after its award and privileges committee considered numerous nominations from various organisations and individuals across Africa.
He said the two nominees came top on the list after a tedious screening exercise.
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Some eminent Africans who have received the honour in the past include former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Atta Mills (late), Mrs Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Monday Riku Morgan among many others.
NAIJ.com earlier reported that the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Zana Akpagu, has been honoured by his community.
The honour was conferred on him in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of the community.
The event attracted top politicians, academics, business moguls and clergymen.
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Source: Naija.ng