MS Abubakar, TY Buratai and the Book, ‘Life Principles for Greatness’: The Unveiling that Speaks to the Future
MS Abubakar, TY Buratai and the Book, Life Principles for Greatness: The Unveiling that Speaks to the Future
jerry Adesewo
Books can sometimes be more than mere collections of pages bound together by ink and paper. They can become manifestos, roadmaps, and mirrors reflecting the ideals of those who have walked paths worth studying. Such is the case with “Life Principles for Greatness From the Life of Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai, rtd, written by Sani Abubakar Mohammed, in partial fulfillment of his Doctoral thesis at the University of Abuja’s Leadership Centre, and published by Sprezzatura Publishing.
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The unveiling, held on Wednesday August 13, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, and co-chaired by former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain and the Vatican City, Ambassador Yusuf Mamman, and the retired Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun, was an affirmation of values, discipline, patriotism—principles embodied in the life of its subject, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff and former Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.
At a time when Nigeria wrestles with the question of what kind of values will shape its next generation, the book’s message of discipline, resilience, and service to the nation strikes an urgent chord.
The Book: Translating a Life into Lessons
‘Life Principles for Greatness’ is not a military memoir, nor is it a conventional biography. Instead, it distills the ethos, values, and guiding compass of Buratai’s career and personal life into a format accessible to the general reader, particularly the youth.
At 122 pages, the book is structured in short, reflective chapters that emphasize values such as patriotism, courage, honesty, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence. Its power lies in its simplicity—avoiding technical jargon while offering principles that can be applied to everyday life.
Speaking at the unveiling, author Sani Abubakar explained the motivation:
“Our youths are at a crossroads. They see fast money, shortcuts, and violence being glorified. This book is my way of saying to them: there is another path—the path of values and discipline. General Buratai’s life provides a real example that greatness is not by chance but by consistent choices.
The Author: Sani Mohammed’s Conviction
For Mohammed, this book is not just a literary exercise—it is a mission. A civic-minded writer, he has long been concerned about the drift of Nigerian youths toward shortcuts, materialism, and vice.
By anchoring the book in Buratai’s life, Mohammed avoids the trap of abstract sermonizing. Instead, he grounds the values in lived experience. “When young people read about General Buratai waking up before dawn, enduring the rigours of military training, or holding fast to integrity in leadership, they can connect principles to practice,” Mohammed said. This he said was fueled by the suggestion of his supervisor at the Abuja Leadership Centre, Prof. Umar Mohammed, who advised he anchored the book on a relatable figure.
Buratai: From the Parade Ground to the Page
No figure loomed larger at the unveiling than Lt. Gen. Buratai himself. A man who has spent most of his career in the disciplined regiment of the Nigerian Army, Buratai has long argued that patriotism and discipline are not optional—they are foundational for personal and national survival.
At the unveiling, he reiterated this conviction:
“I urge our youths to reject violence, shun social vices, and embrace patriotism. Discipline is the foundation of greatness. Without discipline, there is no achievement that can last.”
On another occasion, he sharpened the point:
“The future of Nigeria depends on the choices of our young people today. They must embrace non-violence, hard work, and service to the country if they want to build a nation they can be proud of.”
Buratai’s presence and endorsement gave the book a weight that transcended the symbolic. It was not just a book about him; it became a platform for him to continue shaping public discourse.
Chairman of the occasion, Ambassador Yusuf Maman did not mince words in his opening remarks as he testified to Buratai’s legendary status when he said “his framework for modernising the Nigerian Army is still what we are following.”
Publishing with Purpose: Abuja Leadership Centre and Sprezzatura’s Role
Sprezzatura Publishing, the house behind the book, deserves credit for presenting the work in a form that appeals to its target audience. The layout is clean, and the typography reader-friendly.
By producing a book that is visually accessible and intellectually engaging, Sprezzatura demonstrates how publishing can be a form of civic intervention, not just commercial enterprise.
On its part, the Abuja Leadership Centre played a major role in the birthing of this important leadership manual, by encouraging and supporting one of their students, to embark on such laudable scholarly initiative that has documented the values of a leaving legend in the mould of Ambassador Tukur Yusufu Buratai.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Umar Mohammed had encouraged leaders at all levels of governance, to consider expanding their knowledge in leadership and governance further, through enrollment at the Abuja Leadership Centre.
Why This Book Matters Now
The unveiling of Life Principles for Greatness did not happen in a vacuum. It comes at a time when Nigeria’s youth face daunting challenges: rising unemployment, insecurity, the lure of quick money, and increasing exposure to violence and crime.
Buratai himself has warned repeatedly against the dangers of these trends. “Our society cannot progress if our youths continue to take to drugs, violence, and crime,” he said at the event. “They must see that greatness comes from perseverance, honesty, and service.”
The book becomes a companion text to these calls—a literary extension of his advocacy.
Voices at the Unveiling
The event was not merely about speeches; it was a convergence of ideas about Nigeria’s future. From civic leaders to academics, many echoed the central message that literature must once again become a tool for shaping values.
The book reviewer, Dr. AK Etta Peters, praised the work, saying:
“This is not just a biography. It is a leadership manual. By the time you finish reading, you see that greatness is not mystical. It is about daily discipline, daily choices, and the courage to do the right thing.”
The co-chairman, Lt. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun (rtd), while recounting his working relationship with Buratai, in his closing remarks described the book as “a bridge between the barracks and the classroom, between past sacrifices and future possibilities.”
Senate Committee Chairman on Army, and a retired soldier himself, Distinguished Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, who performed the official unveiling was not short of encomium for both Mohammed Abubakar and the subject of his book, Ambassador TY Buratai. He lamented the missed opportunity to work with him while in active service, and corroborated some of his virtues, already treated the book, such as compassion, courage and commitment to service among others.
The consensus was clear: this was more than a book launch. It was a civic intervention.
The Youth Question: A Future in the Balance
Nigeria’s demographic reality cannot be ignored. With over 60% of its population under 25, the future of the nation hinges on the choices of its young people. Will they embrace shortcuts and vices, or will they build on discipline, service, and patriotism?
Buratai and Mohammed, through this book, seem to be answering that question with a challenge: greatness is not an accident. It is a choice, a discipline, and a lifestyle.
“We must make greatness desirable again,” Mohammed said during his remarks. “If young people can see the principles clearly laid out, they can choose a better future for themselves and for the nation.”
Conclusion: Writing the Future in Principles
The unveiling of ‘Life Principles for Greatness’ stands as an event of cultural and civic significance. It demonstrates how books can shape not just individual lives but national narratives.
By anchoring the work in the life and principles of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, MS Abubakar has created more than a motivational manual; he has crafted a manifesto for a generation. With Sprezzatura Publishing giving it form, and with Buratai himself amplifying its message, the book is set to travel beyond the hall of its unveiling into classrooms, homes, and civic spaces.
The future, as the book insists, is not something we stumble into. It is something we deliberately build. And for Nigeria, a country at the crossroads of possibility and peril, building that future will require nothing less than the principles of greatness