Abuja: The Nigerian Government has reaffirmed its determination to build a safer nation for all citizens. The assurance came during the Book Launch and 60th birthday celebration of a former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd.), in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
According to Voice of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, said security remains at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda. ‘Our administration is modernising the armed forces, strengthening intelligence gathering, and promoting regional partnerships to ensure peace and stability,’ he said. The President described Irabor’s book, ‘Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum’, as a timely and thought-provoking work that sheds light on security issues while providing guidance for building a more united and resilient country.
President Tinubu commended General Irabor’s decades of military service, citing his role in clearing the Sambisa Forest and leading multinational task forces, noting that such sacrifices reflect Nigeria’s resilience and must inspire the nation to secure a peaceful future. Speaking as the Chairman of the Book Launch, former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, stressed the need for a deeper understanding and urgent solutions to ensure lasting security. Obasanjo, who wrote the foreword to the book, said he was drawn to it because it provides an insider’s account of Nigeria’s long battle with Boko Haram.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Nigeria, General Christopher Musa, emphasised that defeating terrorism and insecurity requires more than military effort, calling for deliberate national cohesion. ‘If we want this to end, we must learn to live together as brothers and sisters. Boko Haram can be defeated, but it requires everyone, families, communities, religious leaders, and government to play their part,’ he said. General Musa further stressed the importance of addressing the root causes such as poverty, unemployment, and weak family values. ‘National security starts with the family because it is the unit of every community,’ he said, adding that education, community engagement, and technology must also be strengthened.
He assured Nigerians of the Armed Forces’ commitment, noting, ‘We have thousands of your troops in the trenches, in the jungles, up the mountains, working 24 hours to ensure that nothing happens to us, and they deserve commendation.’ Present at the book launch were the Book reviewer, Bishop Matthew Kukah; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar; Director General Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibril Baba Ndache, and many other dignitaries.
In his remarks, Nigeria’s former Chief of Defence Staff, and the author of the Book, General Lucky Irabor (rtd.), pledged to use the proceeds from his newly launched book, ‘Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum’ to support schools and hospitals across the country. The retired General described the work as a reflection of his experiences in tackling insurgency and a call for national soul-searching. ‘This book is not just a narrative, it is a national awakening,’ Irabor said. ‘The proceeds will be used to sustain support to schools and hospitals, which my family and I have been committed to over the years.’
He emphasised that the gesture was part of his personal commitment to give back to society while inspiring collective responsibility. Irabor, who also marked his 60th birthday, expressed hope that the book would spark conversations around credible solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges. He urged Nigerians to honour the victims of Boko Haram’s atrocities and ‘recommit ourselves to building a nation anchored on justice, equity, and peace.’