By AUWAL AHMED IBRAHIM, GORONYO and ISMAIL IBRAHIM RIBAH
The African proverb that says a good heart is created in a God loving person means that good people are found in every place and from different types of demigraphy.
This witty adage is the most loving statement I so cherish and I mostly use it to compare kindness and a kind heart. While some people have a saying that not all that glitters is gold, but the wisest people say a diamond gives a true reflection of its worth.
A quote from Brian Chesky said, “Build something 100 people love, not something 1 million people like.” While great Africans say, in one million people, there is the most compassionate and the most generous of all, then I come to realize that even in the army, there is an angel of the people.
The Nigerian myth and fables about the army I heard as we grew, was that the soldiers never smile, don’t help and never assist the people. However, getting to know about the assistance of Major General Abdussalam Ibrahim Bagudu Gwazawa (Major General A.B Bagudu), the Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP), who hails from Gwazawa family, Kebbi State, made me delve in research and the information acquired changed the perception in me and made me to use my pen to let others also know that the Nigerian Army builds and helps like other good people, as they are not only professionals in killing the bad people, they also maintain the peace and the tranquility of our dear nation, and above of all virtues, there are angels among them.
From my findings, I learnt that the Nigerian Army contributes to the development of the people, the economy, the education, the welfare, and it helps in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals’ vision as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) services.
The Nigerian Army in its compassionate gesture, donates food to vulnerable people, gives clothes, assists refugees, donates kits to workers, gives teaching materials to schools, organizes medical outreach to communities, distributes scholarship to the poor and protects the vulnerable people.
However, among these gatekeepers of the nation are angels who assist people with their salary for others to live happily and achieve their dreams in life. Among these angels, is Major General Abdulsalam Ibrahim Bagudu, the Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP) of the army officers, appointed by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Taoreed Lagbaja; the multiple award winning officer of the Nigerian Army who rose from the grass to the grace with much applause in the effort of peacekeeping in national and international war fronts.
Major General A.B Bagudu has been in the service of protecting the sovereignty of Nigeria for years, while making many efforts in building peace, combating terrorism, peacekeeping, and his giant strides in stabilizing the Nigerian democracy.
This nationalist has Nigeria at heart, holds great passion for Nigeria and has compassion for Nigerians. His commitment and love for Nigeria is to help the poor to achieve their vision in education. He pays school fees for the youth, donates teaching materials to schools to give the best in his state and with much attention to his Gwazawa community, Zuru Emirate of Kebbi State.
This angelic army officer secured employment for many youth of Gwazawa Ribah and Danko Wasagu Local Government Area in Kebbi State and the Federal Government agencies. He empowers the Kebbians with business capital in the effort to reduce poverty and insecurity problems that may erupt from unemployment in the state.
With a vision to improve the condition of Wasagu people, Major General Abdussalam always opens his doors to those that knock and gives to those that need assistance even without asking for it.
In his years of service, Major General Bagudu has been a shining star that lights the path with his expertise and experience.
He has held several positions in service, before rising to the present position, he is a good team player in the battlefield, a courageous lion that reclaimed successes and victory in the warfare, while being a furious crocodile during the time he was the Commander of Operation Safe Haven he recorded lots of successes and used the command’s Corporate Social Responsibility to build the people and reignited the hope of the gallant army officers and the community around.
Major General Abdussalam Ibrahim is a kindhearted man that relates with superior colleagues in respect and generosity in mentorship. Major General Bagudu is a brain box in getting it right, while he never dissapoints in given assignments at the right time and submits results in due time. Quite sure, his appointment is commendable and Nigerians are happy for this given opportunity to the well-deserved Nigerian Army officer.
I learnt that Major General A.B Bagudu is a steadfast man, a religious fellow, a nationalist, a good kinsman of his extended family and a truly dedicated servant of the Nigerian people who always gives excellent results of delegated assignments.
His commitment has earned him many awards and commendations for his selfless service to humanity. With the prayers of people, best wishes from family and relatives, Major General Bagudu will continue to attain higher ranks in his career and may he live longer, healthier as I wish him endless happiness with his blessed family. Amen.
AUWAL AHMED IBRAHIM is a human rights activist from Kaduna and sends this article jointly written by ISMAIL IBRAHIM RIBAH via auwalgoronyo@gmail.com, 07063340833
