New book on Buratai distills 15 life principles for youth leadership and greatness
By Zagazola Makama
A new motivational book drawing leadership and life lessons from the career and personal journey of former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has been unveiled in Abuja, offering Nigerian youth a blueprint for discipline, resilience, and purposeful living.
The 122-page work, titled Life Principles for Greatness from the Life of General Tukur Yusuf Buratai: Lessons for Today’s Youth, is authored by Dr. Mohammed Sani Abubakar, a prolific writer, seasoned publisher, and counter-terrorism expert.
The book was formally launched on Aug. 13, just a day after the world marked the United Nations International Youth Day a timing organisers described as symbolic of the book’s youth-focused vision.
Dr. Ak Peters, Executive Director of Setting Leadership Initiatives and Chairman of the Editorial Board of Our Nigerian News Magazine, who reviewed the book at the public presentation, described it as “a well-crafted, deeply insightful, and practical manual for young Nigerians aspiring to leadership and national impact.”
Published by Stelzatura Publishing Limited, a respected name in leadership and self-development literature, the book is dedicated to Abubakar’s two sons, Abdurazak and Bawu. According to the author, his aim is for the lessons in the book to inspire them and young readers across Nigeria to dream boldly, work persistently, and cultivate a deep sense of purpose.
The foreword, written by Senegalese writer Adam Adib Mani Odalisene, hails Buratai as “an extraordinary African military officer with impressive leadership qualities and achievements,” and frames his story as a source of “powerful, transformative, and life-changing principles” for the continent’s youth.
Born in the village of Buratai in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, the former army chief rose from humble beginnings to a distinguished career as a soldier, diplomat, academic, farmer, historian, author, benefactor, politician, businessman, multiple traditional title holder, patriot, statesman, mentor, innovator, concept developer, husband, and father.
This is Abubakar’s ninth book, and his third dedicated to Buratai’s life and philosophy. Each of its 15 chapters distills one key principle of greatness from specific stages of Buratai’s personal and professional journey.
Chapter One underscores discipline as the cornerstone of success, portraying Buratai as a man who internalised the purpose of orders and recognised that “choices have consequences. Chapter Two highlights hard work as “the unsung hero of every success,” rooted in grit and determination rather than privilege.
Chapter Three examines his leadership style, including his listening skills, strategic thinking, composure under pressure, transparency, decisiveness, adaptability, love for knowledge, selflessness, and sense of responsibility for subordinates, while the next chapter teaches learning from failure as a stepping stone to success.
Chapter Five focuses on teamwork, with trust, communication, and collaboration as its pillars, while chapter six through Fourteen expand on principles such as continuous learning, goal-setting, integrity, dignity, resilience, effective communication, positive attitude, mentorship, relationship building, and time management.
Chapter Fifteen argues that true greatness lies not in personal accolades, but in “lifting others as you rise” and ensuring that one’s success creates successors.
Dr. Peters, in his review, described the book as “not merely a tribute to Buratai, but a call to action for every young Nigerian to embrace self-discipline, hard work, and service to the nation.”
Abubakar explained that the work was inspired partly by his doctoral research at the Abuja Leadership Centre, University of Abuja, which required him to design a leadership training programme for students in his home state. That programme, held at Concordia College, Kareola, brought together 150 students from 13 schools and addressed themes such as patriotism, leadership, handling rejection, the power of intelligence, and the pursuit of excellence.
The public presentation drew dignitaries including traditional rulers from Lafia Emirate and Doma Chiefdom, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, Ambassador Yusuf Mamman, and retired Lt.-Gen. Amin Yahaya.
Buratai, who is credited with major military successes including the 2016 degradation of Boko Haram insurgents, is also known for his personal discipline, strategic foresight, and commitment to national unity.
“As the Japanese say, yo shinai, yo kagai—good thinking, good product,” Abubakar said. “I have read inspiring works like The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason and Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins, but this book, too, stands as a classic.”
With Life Principles for Greatness, the author hopes to provide a lasting resource that will help a new generation of Nigerians to lead with resilience, integrity, and vision.
