By Nkechi Eze
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.), has accepted an invitation to deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony in Abuja, where he has also been nominated for the Distinguished Leadership Award.
According to a statement signed by the DECAN Public Relations Officer, Matthew Abi, Buratai confirmed his acceptance on Friday when he received a delegation of the DECAN Annual Lecture and Awards Committee, led by the association’s President, Comrade Odita Sunday, during a courtesy visit.
The former Army Chief described the theme of the lecture, “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” as timely and relevant to the country’s evolving security challenges.
“This topic is quite contemporary, beyond kinetic warfare. Harnessing technology and intelligence-led operations for Nigeria’s national security. It’s quite contemporary,” Buratai said.
He also emphasised the strategic role of defence correspondents in national security, stressing that timely dissemination of accurate information about military operations could help counter adversarial propaganda and prevent information gaps.
“If you don’t project yourself, if you don’t get your information out as timely as possible, then be reassured that even your battle will be lost. Your strategy will be ineffective, which by implication, your operational execution will also be affected,” he said.
Buratai recalled that during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army opened greater access to defence correspondents, including allowing journalists to accompany troops to operational theatres.
He said the initiative strengthened military-media relations and helped counter Boko Haram’s propaganda by providing journalists with first-hand accounts of military operations.
“We broke the jinx that you don’t report on the military while in action in Nigeria,” he said.
He recalled an operation during which journalists accompanying troops towards Gamboru Ngala came under an insurgent ambush after troops had cleared Mafa and Dikwa. He said one soldier was killed while a general and another soldier were injured, adding that troops subsequently captured some insurgents alive and continued their advance.
According to Buratai, reports from the operation helped break the insurgents’ dominance of the information space.
“Those issues were reported live, and we now broke the Boko Haram information and media propaganda back, so they could no longer have the monopoly to tell the world, to spread rumours,” he said.
Buratai expressed appreciation to DECAN for nominating him for the Distinguished Leadership Award, describing the recognition as one he cherished.
He also pledged to sustain his relationship with defence correspondents and confirmed his readiness to attend the event and deliver the keynote address.
Earlier, the DECAN President, Odita Sunday, said the delegation visited Buratai to formally notify him of his nomination and invitation to deliver the keynote address at the 2026 annual lecture and awards ceremony.
Odita said Buratai’s experience in military leadership, national defence and security would contribute to discussions on emerging threats and the application of technology and intelligence in contemporary security operations.
He added that the annual lecture would provide a platform for policymakers, security professionals, journalists, academics and other stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s evolving security landscape, while the awards ceremony would recognise individuals and institutions whose contributions have advanced national security, defence and responsible journalism.
