The Coalition of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Good Governance in Nigeria (COCMEGG) will tomorrow host the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, at a Grand Red Carpet reception where he will be conferred with the award as ‘Most Distinguished Chief of Army Staff of the Decade,’ at Egus Hall, Nugget Hotel, Utako, Abuja by 12 noon. The Chairman of the occasion is former Inspector General of Police (IG), Sir Mike Okiro.
The group, which is an umbrella body of civil society groups, activists and media executives, has over the years, advocated transparency, accountability and good governance in Nigeria.
According to the President of the coalition, Kenneth Aigbegbele, in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, after a critical and painstaking research Buratai will be honoured with the prestigious award for “having redefined and repositioned the office of the COAS in its history; his avowed commitment and determination that led to the defeat of Boko Haram insurgents and the high morale and spirit-de-corps within the rank and file of the army due to the enormous support of President Muhammadu Buhari.”
He said it was under his watch that the army witnessed a tremendous increase and improvement in the purchase of armaments and accoutrements for soldiers including the rebranding of the Nigeria army to meet with global best standards and citizens’ satisfaction based to his leadership style and direction of the army.
In view of that, the president of the group enjoined friends, associates, the diplomatic community, traditional rulers and well-meaning Nigerians to grace the auspicious occasion to celebrate the army and COAS.
He emphasised that this is just the beginning of a greater effort to give a pat on the back of those who on a daily basis, put their life at risk for the greater good of the country, saying: “They deserve our commendation and support.”
