By Sumaila Ogbaje

The former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has emphasised the critical importance of history, innovation, intellectual development and inter-agency collaboration in driving national and institutional progress.

He said this at the Nigerian Army Military History Institute Seminar, organised by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the seminar is: “Historising Transformation of the Nigerian Army Since Independence: Lessons and Future Prospects.”

Buratai, who said that history is the study of past events, societies, cultures and civilisations through recorded, oral and material evidence, added that “it entails who we are and where we came from.

“If we fail to understand our past, we risk losing our identity and vision for the future.

“We must not allow historical innovations to gather dust. Our MRAP vehicles today are products of that spirit of self-reliance.”

The former Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic then traced the origin of the idea behind the Nigerian Army Resource Centre to a study tour in Malaysia during his time as a military officer.

He said he was inspired by the Asian Centre for Economic Development, where he envisioned a similar hub in Nigeria—one driven by military initiative and focused on intellectual advancement and cooperation.

“We started in the ML Agwai Block, which was repurposed and refurbished to become the starting point of NARC’s activities.

“What started with modest means has now become a beacon of research and doctrinal development for the Nigerian Army.”

Buratai lauded the Director-General of NARC, Retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, for his transformative leadership and integrity, acknowledging that he had exceeded expectations.

He called for greater unity and collaboration among the services to be able to accomplish the armed forces’ overarching mission.

Earlier, the director-general had emphasised the importance of historical analysis in shaping effective military strategy and fostering institutional continuity.

Wahab noted that the seminar was part of a broader intellectual commitment to contextualising the Nigerian Army’s journey, while projecting a vision for its future, amid global and national security challenges.

He thanked the former army chief for his visionary leadership and confidence, which laid the foundation for the centre’s current prominence.

He said, “I want to most sincerely appreciate Ambassador Buratai for his foresight in not only establishing the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, but also for empowering it to become a hub for research, strategic dialogue and doctrinal innovation.”

Wahab also announced his forthcoming exit from the centre, set for Aug. 31, and introduced his successor, who is already undergoing a transition process under his mentorship. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu