ADDRESS BY AMB. TY BURATAI (LT GENERAL RETIRED), CHIEF HOST AT THE OCCASION OF THE GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY AND FUNDRAISER OF TRBC ON DECEMBER 18TH, 2021. THEME: RESEARCH AND LEADERSHIP FRO DEVELOPMENT: FINDING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES THROUGH RESEARCH AND TRAINING
PROTOCOLS
SALUTATIONS
1. Allow me to begin by expressing my joy at seeing you all today at this modest farm located outside the FCT here in Nasarawa State. Your presence here demonstrates how much you cherish and value the fraternal relationship that exists between you and me.
2. It brings me great pleasure to greet and host you at this auspicious august gathering to mark the Tukur Buratai Research Centre’s (TBRC) appeal fundraiser and ground breaking ceremony. TBRC is our modest way of contributing to national development and giving back to society through a well-thought-out approach that we believe will have a long-lasting impact on the country. As indicated in the schedule of activities, TRBC is collaborating with Nasarawa State University, Keffi, in the fields of strategic studies, peace and conflict studies, and leadership for development. What we are about to do today is the ground-breaking ceremony and appeal fundraiser for the TRBC Complex.
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3. One may want to know why a retired General cum diplomat will decide to collaborate with a university to set up a think-tank like TBRC. Since this a straight question, I will respond with an answer that is precise and straight to the point. It was W.H Auden who said that, “We are here on Earth to do good to others. What others are here for, I don’t know.” My simple philosophy about life is to continue to live a life of value by improving on the system that we have, and as someone coming from the military, I reckoned that the best way for me and my associates to add value to our society and make our country better and stronger is through a think-tank like TBRC.
4. Let me make it categorically clear to us that one of the factors that helped the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries is strong and innovative think-tanks. As far back as 1831, the Duke of Wellington set up the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies with the aim of helping policy makers navigate through complex policy problems. Then the London Fabian Society which got established in 1884, home to Sydney and Beatrice Webbs, who later founded the London School of Economics. In 1919, scholars like Lionel Curtis of the Oxford University spearheaded the establishment of a think-tank to explore international problems and advocate policy solutions. After that, we saw the emergence of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in 1916, which in 1927, merged with two other institutions to form the widely acclaimed Brookings Institution. I believe that there exists a gap in our polity that TBRC as a think-tank can fill through research and policy development especially in the areas of security and defence, peace, conflict management, climate change, leadership and development.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
5. According to the Society for International Development, Development is a process that creates growth, progress, positive change or the addition of physical, economic, environmental, social and demographic components. The purpose of development is a rise in the level and quality of life of the population, and the creation or expansion of local regional income and employment opportunities, without damaging the resources of the environment. Development is visible and useful, not necessarily immediately, and includes an aspect of quality change and the creation of conditions for a continuation of that change.
6. The concept of development carries a plethora of connotations; the term is complex, debated, ambiguous, and elusive. However, in the simplest terms, development can be defined as bringing about social change that allows people to achieve their human potential. Development is not limited to human group interactions; it also encompasses the natural environment. Thus, development is about the transformation of natural resources into cultural resources.
DEVELOPMENT FROM AN ECONOMIC POINT OF VIEW
7. In terms of economic growth, development involves expanding the economy’s size or speed to produce more goods and services. The idea has been that if an economy produces more goods and services, humans will have a better standard of living. Many traditional development strategies aim to expand the economy (economic growth) in order to increase product and service output. Of course, producing more goods and services will necessitate more raw resources, energy, and trash, regardless of the underlying economic processes. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, this is then is the crux of the matter; we need development in every sector of our national life, and this is something that should not be left for the government alone to do. As I have said in so many fora, there can be no real development without security and peace, and in the same vain, there must be economic opportunities, equity and justice for security and peace to exist which in turn serves as the foundation or pillars of development. TBRC will devote attention to the interplay between these critical factors taking cognisance of our environment and its peculiarities with a view to coming up with policies that can help the government. Our objective is geared towards a more secured and better Nigeria for all Nigerians.
8. Increased productivity, improved socioeconomic well-being, increased income, infrastructure development, job creation, and improved quality of local produce for both domestic and international markets remain the hallmarks of a well-thought-out research initiative and development agenda by a prosperous nation led by a visionary/corrupt-free leader. The anticipated benefits of a functional research and development program include training people with the necessary capacity to conduct economic tasks with an appreciable degree of skill, hence achieving maximum production. These capacities include equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully harness and exploit the potentials found in their surroundings. Nigeria’s current situation demonstrates that it is a populous nation with a plethora of potentials but insufficient capabilities to transfer these potentials into socioeconomic reforms.
9. Evidence abounds in nations throughout the world that house research centre dedicated to developing necessary initiatives and or strategies that will aid in mitigating development issues and maximizing environmental potential. While a few of nations have achieved significant milestones and or breakthroughs in this area, many others are still struggling to find their footing in terms of designing mechanisms by which their potentials can be fully realized.
10. Research entails an in-depth investigation of an object or situation with the goal of promoting development and progress. It is a process that involves the collection of reliable and usable information and data on the subject of the research, as well as the analysis of the data acquired in order to reach a legitimate conclusion. Thus, the primary purpose of research is to uncover answers to important questions targeted at resolving societal problems.
LEADERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT
11. Leadership, in broad terms, is a social practice that entails influencing others. The process through which an individual establishes direction, influences a group, and guides the group toward a certain purpose or mission has been defined as leadership. In some ways, leadership is defined by what leaders do. The following observations have been made: Leadership is a characteristic, not a title. Leadership is about encouraging others to live the organization’s vision, mission, and values.
12. Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I must say that research and well-informed policy frameworks are indispensables to those in the positions of leadership. We leave in a globalized world and things now move with break neck speed. The world of today is no longer an environment that responds to those who have military might or have numerical strength; it also doesn’t give a damn if a country has an armada of natural resources like the one we have in Nigeria. Sometimes I picture those in positions of leadership as sailors of ship cruising on the ocean, supposedly taking their people to the Promised Land. Today’s world simply responds and obeys those who are well informed and those who have fool-proofed policies. This is why research centres and think-tanks like TBRC are critical to success of every leader. There is no gainsaying the fact that leadership without well-informed and fool proofed policies will lack clear vision and direction. This is the major cause of setbacks in most African nations. Your generous donations to this cause will be highly appreciated.
CONCLUSION
13. Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I feel that today, via this ground breaking ceremony and fundraiser, we are making history. I pray that God Almighty will keep us alive and well long enough to see the TBRC Complex completed and this think-tank eventually take-off. I appreciate your time and consideration.
