He is A Highly Disciplined Leader, I am Glad I Had Worked With Him - Former Army Chief

President Buhari was committed to the welfare of troops and personnel all through his tenure and was always direct in his approach 

I saw in him a true leader, highly disciplined, who is straightforward, always abreast of contemporary situations, and I am glad that I had worked with him in my capacity as Chief of Army Staff. 

Former Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai stated this on Monday during an interview from Katsina. Speaking from his experience of working with the late President, Buratai said he is firm in his decisions, resolute, as well as frank and direct in his approach. 

According to General Buratai, Buhari's experiences over the years, as a governor, General Officer Commanding (GOC), as Head of State under military rule and as a minister, gave him the opportunity to garner all the experiences and knowledge over the years, which was brought to bear during his period as a civilian president. 

"The whole nation, not only Katsina State is in mourning, When we came into Katsina earlier today (Monday 14th) we've seen less activities, generally it is a sober mood as the people expect the arrival of the corpse on Tuesday 15th July, 2025, to pay their last respect. The whole nation as declared by the federal government is in a mourning mood"

While recalling his time as Chief of Army Staff under the late leader, the former Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic said, one fundamental factor to successful leadership is the ability to motivate by gaining trust, which he earned from the late president. 

"Despite all the challenges, he believed in my actions, he believed in my directives that I passed to my troops in the field, and also all the exercises and operations that we conducted, he gave me the full support, and it's a very big motivating factor" 

"Similarly, all the operational requirements, especially in the Northeast, were promptly released to the troops, and he never waited for troops to start complaining before they are given what is due to them. He was personally interested, in ensuring that the troops' salaries and allowances were never delayed, he would be so annoyed if he hears that the troops' allowances are delayed for a day"

"During his time, salaries were increased, allowances were increased for the troops which is a great motivation. In terms of equipment, he released funds for procurement, and ensure that direct purchases of military equipment were doing through government to government like the Super Tucano of the Nigerian Air Force, as well as training of the troops and capacity building"

He equally highlighted institution established within the army under the leadership drive of the late president to include the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, the Cyber Warfare Command of the Nigerian Army, the Land Forces Simulation Centre, and ths equipping, proper re-kitting of the troops and prompt promotion in order to motivate them. 

"He loves regimentation, he appears and attends all functions, military regimental functions. He never missed it, We will always cherish and remember that we had General Mohamed Bouhari, former President, Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces" 

"We miss him, may Allah grant him eternal rest and paradise. I condole the family, the immediate family, the wife, the former First Lady, Aisha Bouhari, the children, the relations.

I also condole the Emir of Naurang, the Governor of Katsina State, and of course, our President, Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Tinubu, for this great loss"

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