Dr Abubakar Sani, the Author of “The Legend of Buratai’’, says the essence of the book is to motivate and instill positive virtues in children and young adult to achieve their dreams.
Sani made this known at the public presentation of “The Legend of Buratai Vol. 1’’ for children and the animated narration of the book on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said “a golden fish has no hiding place’’, adding that the character, ‘Buratai’ in the book “is a golden fish’’.
“I reason that someone can derive lessons from the life of former retired Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai to motivate young people, especially children.
“I want them to know that the virtue of integrity and hard work can catapult one from nobody to somebody in the society.
“You must not know someone before you become successful.
“If you are hardworking, diligent and remain consistent in that diligence on what you do, one day the sky will be your limit. Children need to know about this.
“The book is a creative fiction, like where the lead character killed a lion, is a creative fiction, but his history, where he was born, his childhood and military engagements are all facts.
“The last chapter of the book contains the National Pledge which children need to recite and know that is it an oath they are taking,” Sani said.
Meanwhile, the book reviewer, Dr Lizi Ben-Iheanacho said the writer was creative to come up with presentation of book and animated narration for young readers.
Ben-Iheanacho commended the dual presentation of the book both in print and electronic forms.
“So, there is a consciousness to transfer and transmit certain values to the young readers; that is the first unique thing about the presentation.
“It is the deployment of virtues like humility, professionalism and sense of dedication to whatever one is doing that makes one to get the larger picture.
“Also, leadership qualities like fearlessness, bravery and compassion are things that drive empathy that will make any leader to be the best in areas he finds himself.
“That is the kind of quality that Buratai finds himself exhibiting in his career, which is the military that he wants to transmit not only to the young cadets but to any Nigerian child,” Ben-Iheanacho said.
Responding, Buratai appreciated Sani, Ben-Iheanacho, Jerry Adesewo, the Director of Arojah Concepts and many others for celebrating him in the book and the animation narration.
“To the school children, who are with us today, I want to make it categorically clear, that I was an ordinary boy who sailed through diligence, perseverance, hard work, loyalty, humility and respect to parents and elders.
“I join the army because I have passion for the job and it was my calling. I rose through the ranks through diligence, loyalty, honesty and hard work.
“I want to use this opportunity to encourage you to dream big and work hard towards the fulfilment of those dreams, because with God, everything is possible. Be confident,” Buratai said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the eight chapters of the 110 pages book is dedicated to late Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, former Chief of Army Staff.
Many schools in the FCT attended the book presentation, which provided entertainments such as musical performance from ‘Mudashiru’, poetry performances by ‘The Adesewos’ and reading of the book by some pupils.
The events attracted officials from the National Assembly, APC, military, North-East Development Commission and many others.
Credit: NAN News