By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The launch and public presentation of the children’s book, and a feature animation both titled; ‘The Legend of Buratai’ Vol 1, authored by Dr Sani Mohammed has made history.
Dr. Mohammed made this known to journalists during an interview at the launch in Abuja.
He said that the ex-Chief of Army Staff and former ambassador of Nigeria to Benin Republic, Lieutenant General Tukur Y. Buratai will remain ever green in the hearts and minds of Nigeria’s future generation.
He explained that “There is no better way to celebrate the local hero than to have a writer document for history.
Writers have the literary license to create characters or bring a different perspective to them in accordance with the ‘times’ and the ‘demands of the story’s custodians”.
He believes that Nigeria can use her local heroes to inspire the future generation to greatness.
Celebrating the former Chief of Army Staff for making history, he explained the autobiographical fiction work Legend of Buratai Vol 1, which was then screen-written into a 3D feature animation, creating an audio-visual interconnection that seared information transmitted in the viewers brains.
“Although there are some elements of reality to the tale, such as the little town of Buratai in Biu where the subject hails from; the story of his purchasing a charm to attract the interest of his one-time crush which failed, and the Gudumbali narrative that are factual; but it is a fictionalised version of the events in the life of the man. As Buratai himself testified at the event, he never killed a lion at age 17; likewise, the attack on Buratai town, and the background/setting to the Gudumbali battle depicted in the animation, is a work of fiction”.
He emphasized that “These stories, therefore served the purpose of inspiring the targeted audience with the importance of diligence, strategy, honesty bravery and loyalty to one’s nation are key to becoming quality leaders and persons of great character.
One can see the critical thinking and strategy depicted by the fictionalised Buratai in slaying the lion terrorizing his village; feel his courage in marching with his troops into the Sambisa Forest in an offensive attack against Boko Haram (which Buratai confessed as true noting he was the only COAS to do so); and observe his rise in military ranks and the accolades accompanying it based on merit; proving to the young ones that you needn’t have connections to be somebody.
The author’s highlighting the importance that of the nation’s pledge to the children, as a form of personal oath to their country, that they shouldn’t take for granted.
Similarly, Reviewing the book, award winning author of children’s literature, critic, folklorist and Director National Council Arts and Culture (NCAC),Dr Lizzie Ben-Iheanacho’s call to the ‘man of the moment’ to establish an ANA/Buratai Children’s Literature Prize as a means of promoting children’s literature and young writer series,to which Buratai acquiesced to, are ways to mark local heroes who have had genuine, communal impact.
Ben-Iheanacho said
“I am persuaded by the important of the books, it will become more significant and relevant when they connect with young readers. Even the literary promoters of the genius of Shakespeare recognized this truth hence the famous Lamb Tales from Shakespeare.
It is therefore my hope that a trend, Young Readers Series of Nigerian literary Classics and major books, will emerge from the trailblazing efforts we have witnessed today .
Also speaking, Former Chief of Army Staff and ex-envoy of Nigeria to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai called on children to imbibe the virtues diligence, perseverance, hard work, loyalty, humility, respect for parents and elders as well as religious piety as the only way to achieving their highest potentials in life.
