The All African Students Union (AASU) on Friday in Abuja presented an award to to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, for his outstanding performance in office.
The leader of the union, Mr Akinyele Olasunbo, while presenting the award to Buratai, at the Army Headquarters, said the gesture was for his excellent performance, especially in tackling insurgency successfully.
The award was tagged “Kwame Nkrumah Award’’.
“Is not all about whom you are but is all about the people you have put smiles on their faces.
“We are here today to tell the world and to showcase your good performance in office as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS),’’ Olasunbo said.
“The award is meant for merit and not for any financial benefit. We are using this as a way of challenge to others that since your assumption of duty you have done magnificently well.
“You are really working in line with the President’s Change Agenda,’’ he said.
In his remarks, the COAS expressed delight over the award from the union and urged the students to continue with their good work.
“I am delighted to receive Kwame Nkrumah Award from AASU, Nkurumah was a respected African leader who had paid the supreme sacrifice, which contributed to the development not only of Ghana, but Africa as a whole.
“I am receiving this award to encourage the youths and the students across Africa to respect our leaders.
“We must respect our elders and we must work hard to support them and to ensure that our continent progresses and develops; it is the youths that can make the difference,’’ he said.
Buratai said that late Nkrumah struggled for Africa during his youthful age, and urged African youth to also do their various countries proud and indeed Africa as a whole.
This, he said, could only be achieved by studying hard, promoting those very important virtues of our past leaders, as well as imbibing them
“This award is not only an ward to me alone but for all officers that have been working assiduously day and night to ensure that the task at hand is accomplished.
“Our troops have been doing very well on daily basis carrying out clearance operations and providing humanitarian support to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).