BY RICHARD ABU, Keffi –
The Tukur Buratai Research Centre, in conjunction with the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has raised N223 million for its research and development programmes.
The fund raising and ground breaking ceremony, which took place at the Snake Farm located near Gora, KM 40 along Abuja-Keffie Expressway, was attended by dignitaries from far and near.
In his welcome address, the President of the Tukur Buratai Research Centre, General Tukur Buratai (Rtd), explained that the aim of setting up the research centre was for him to give back what he and his family had received from the society.
Retired General Buratai, who is Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, told the gathering that he was inspired to set up a farm by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who also has a farm in Keffi and had visited him when he was a young officer in active service.
He added that Senator Ali Ndume was also one of the persons that encouraged him to set up the research centre so that the training and experience gathered over the years in service would not be wasted.
General Buratai disclosed that the centre was going into collaboration with the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, to make use of the human resources available at the institution to add value to society and make Nigeria better.
In addition, he said the centre would collaborate with the Army University, Biu in the areas of intelligence, policy formulation and data gathering.
In his speech, the Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Professor Suleiman Bala Muhmed, said the university under his watch is committed to offer excellent services and collaborate with the Tukur Buratai Research Centre in the area of security and strategic studies.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that the university has maintained high academic standards most especially in the area of research by offering long- and short-term courses in leadership development to improve human resources.
He commended retired General Tukur Buratai for setting up the research centre and assured him of the university’s collaboration.
Chairman of the occasion, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, described research as the basic tool of development as it enables people to raise questions and find answers to improve knowledge.
He commended retired General Tukur Buratai for his interest in promoting education as demonstrated when serving as Chief of Army Staff facilitated the establishment of the Armu University in Biu, Borno state.
In his remarks, Senator Ali Ndume, who represented the governor of Borno state, Professor Umar Zulum, said he was not surprised that Tukur Buratai had set up the research centre because of the fact that he is a man of ideas.
He went down memory lane to trace the relationship between Nasarawa state and Borno state said they are members of one family.
Senator Ndume expressed satisfaction with the good leadership qualities of the Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule as demonstrated in the quick transformation of the state into an enviable position.
In his speech, the governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi Sule who was visibly happy with the Research Centret set up by the retired Chief of Army Staff Turkur Buratai be as it will galanize the security apparatus he has put in place to tackle insecurity in the country.
Engineer Abdullahi Sule recalled how Buratai as Army Chief would respond to his calls in an urgent manner each time, he ran to him on matters of security challenges.
He described Nasarawa State as one of the most peaceful state in the country and also poured encomiums on the Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University for maintaining high academic standards.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of merit awards to highly esteemed Nigerians who have performed well in areas of security maintenance and good administration.
