Foresight, Endurance, and Focus Keys to Greatness – Buratai
By Lawrence Bilal Audu
Former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd.), has identified foresight, endurance, and focus as the surest path to greatness.
General Buratai the Garkuwan Keffi shared his insights on leadership with participants of the Nigerian Air Force War College during their study tour to Tukur and Tukur Farms in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
General Buratai, also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Tukur Buratai Research Centre, emphasized the importance of foresight, endurance, and focus in achieving greatness. “To succeed, you must have focus and pursue it to a logical conclusion,” he stressed, highlighting the need for determination and perseverance. He further encouraged the participants to cultivate passion and a strong will to achieve their dreams, noting that success rarely comes easily, but with persistence, it is attainable.
The Commandant of the Air War College, Air Vice Marshal AG Kehinde, praised General Buratai’s leadership virtues, noting that leadership recruitment involves showcasing role models to future leaders. “Tomorrow, they will hold strategic leadership positions in military formations, and if we are to get the best out of them, we must showcase those who have gone ahead and acknowledge their footprints in the sands of time,” he said.
“By every standard, you are an accomplished leader and statesman who has achieved a great height that not all have been able to attain.” He adds.
A participant, Wing Commander AO Idoko, praised General Buratai’s visionary leadership, saying, “What I have seen here so far is a pure demonstration of visionary leadership, foresight, and planning. It only takes deliberate planning to get something like this. I am inspired to take after the personality of General Buratai because he has built a reputable career in the Nigerian Army and today, he is actively involved in national development.”
Lieutenant Colonel Alliana Ayisi, an allied participant from Cameroon, noted that the visit was insightful, saying, “It is really insightful for me because it has inspired me to see what can be achieved even before retirement – a vision to make our dreams a reality.”
The participants were given a brief on the activities of the farms by the Managing Director of the Farms, Engr Hamisu Tukur Buratai. The highpoint of the visit was a comprehensive tour of the various components of the integrated farms and other production units.
Situated in Keffi, Nigeria, Tukur and Tukur Farms is a multifaceted farm renowned for its diverse activities, which include snake farming, with a vast collection of species, making it one of the largest in West Africa. Additionally, the farm engages in agriculture, producing crops like maize, soybeans, and other grains, as well as animal husbandry, raising livestock such as cattle, goats, and sheep. Furthermore, the farm offers guided tours, promoting tourism and education on snake behavior, farming techniques, and conservation efforts.
As a unique example of innovative farming practices and entrepreneurship in Nigeria, Tukur and Tukur Farms also hosts study tours and educational programs, as exemplified by the visit from the Nigerian Air Force War College participants.
