Buratai, Nigerian Army bag awards of excellence in London

THE Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Yusufu Buratai and the Nigerian Army were conferred with awards of patriotism and excellence by The Nigerian News Portal at The Dorchester, Westminster, London, on Friday.

The ceremony was held to mark the one year anniversary of the London-based news platform, which made its debut in the blogosphere in August 2016.

According to the chairman of the Board of Directors of the news portal, Dr. Sam Ode, the aim of the medium was to usher in a new dimension to the international perspective of how Nigerians are viewed in and out of their country and to have an objective, balanced and accurate information about Nigeria and performances of its citizens, devoid of sentiments in an era of fake news.

He specifically commended the awardees as the very “best of the best that the country parades at the moment and further saluted the readers and fans of The Nigerian who took out their time to screen and vote all the nominees who were selected from a long list of patriotic, service-driven and dedicated Nigerians in their respective fields of endeavours.

The awards, which were presented by John Milton, renowned American Journalist with specialty in photojournalism and Patrick Smith, Editor-in-Chief, African Confidential Magazine, were received by Major-General Chris Jemitola, Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), on behalf of Buratai and the Nigerian Army.

In his acceptance remarks, the representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Chris Jemitola thanked the medium for the nomination and all those that voted for both the Nigerian Army and the Chief of Army Staff for the prestigious awards. He further stated that Nigerian Army would continue to do its best to ensure that it discharge its duties responsibly and professionally. He further added the Nigerian Army was deeply humbled by the awards, “We are indeed very grateful and proud of this recognition and awards”.

Other distinguished Nigerians who were honoured, amongst whom are; The Executive Governor of Plateau State as “Best Governor of the Year, The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachiku as Minister of the Year, Dr. Isa Pantami as ICT Promoter of the Year, Dangote Group of Companies won Most Outstanding Brand of the Year and Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Most Outstanding Parliamentarian of the Year.

The occasion featured paper presentation on titled “Oil, Terrorism and Globalization: Security Challenges to the Capitalization of Nigeria’s Natural Resource Market” by Elizabeth Robertson and David Fault of Preventive Diplomacy.

Those at the award ceremony include the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, representative of the Executive Governor of Plateau State Dr. Gabriel Longpet, the Chairman, Plateau State Association Charity Committee in the United Kingdom, Dr. Isa Pantami, Director General NITDA and Major General Chris Jemitola, as well as senior military officers Nigerians from various walks of life based in London, intellectuals and media executives.

It will be recalled that the Chief of Army Staff was on Thursday 24th August 2017 awarded the Nigerian Institute of Management’s “Presidential Award for Excellence” in Lagos.

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