IKPO IGBINOBA, Lagos
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Burutai
His exploits in the field of battle have earned him several military honours and awards.
Both at home and abroad, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Burutai has severally distinguished himself as a soldier and as an officer.
Little wonder then that today he heads the Nigerian Army, after over three decades of dedicated and meritorious service to the military institution.
But the Burutai story is not all about soldiering.
He has also made an impact in the realm of sports, enough impact to attract the attention of the New International Jidokwan Federation.
Thus the world body with its headquarters in Ohio, the United States impressed by Burutai’s career trajectory right from his cadet days in the Nigeria Defence Academy, NDA to his present contributions to national and regional security has honoured him with the title of the Patron of its Nigerian affiliate, the Nigeria Taekwondo Foundation ’75 and honorary Grandmaster of Jidokwan Taekwondo with the rank of 8th Dan/Degree.
In the citation, the army chief received the rare honour “in recognition and appreciation of his demonstration of an indomitable spirit, valour and chivalry in tour of duty”.
Zonal representative of the Nigeria Taekwondo Foundation NTF ’75, Prof. Emmanuel Maximin Agha of the Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki who broke the news of the awards to the army chief in a letter announced that the investiture and installation ceremony would take place at the Abakaliki Golf Club in Abakaliki, the Enonyi state capital on Saturday, June 23 from 11 am.
He said Gen. Burutai’s investiture was one of the events lined up to mark the 43rd anniversary of the NTF ’75.
The army chief who would be dressed in full Taekwondo regalia during his installation will also receive a certificate signed by the President of the New International Jidokwan Federation, Grandmaster Patty Inglish and a plaque.
Meanwhile, General Burutai has dedicated the awards to the President, Muhammad Buhari and the officers and men of the Nigerian Army.
In his acceptance letter signed by Brig-Gen. B.E. Etuk, the army chief said it would not have been possible for him to receive the honour “without the untiring efforts of the officers and men of the Nigerian Army and the support given to the military by the President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Muhammad Buhari”.
An elated President of the NTF ’75, Grandmaster Emmanuel Ikpeme told PM Express that the army chief has over time been a role model and source of inspiration to the Nigerian youth.
According to him “Gen. Burutai, who is an accomplished military officer has over three decades been a role model and source of inspiration to the Nigerian youth.
” And I am indeed excited that he’s not just being recognised by the NTF ’75 but also by the world body of Jidokwan Taekwondo”.