Re: NSA: Who the cap fits?
In Nigeria, we are a people neckdeep in the act of politicizing everything under the sun. So, I was amused when I recently read some politicized commentaries from an on line analyst on Major General Sulaiman Dili Aliyu (rtd), being part of the struggle for the NSA office.
Media houses are sometimes unconsciously conscripted into the realms of wrongful speculation, as they allude to Maj. Gen. SD Aliyu to be among the army officers that were allegedly involved in the Dasukigate when he was the Nigerian Defence Attaché to China.
For those who may not know, Major General Sulaiman Dili Aliyu (rtd), was born on 23rd September 1961 at Garkida. He is an indigene of Borno State and had his early education was at Biu and Maiduguri both in Borno state. A graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna Polytechnic, Command and Staff College Jaji, University of Abuja, National Defense University Beijing-China and Tshinghua University Beijing-China he was commissioned as an officer into the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers in 1984 and rose to the rank of Major General before retirement in 2016.
A Soldier is always a hero because of his first decision to live for his country.
Indisputably, the life of a successful soldier is laborious woven around these ethos and very cumbersome.
Sulaiman Dili Aliyu holds an MSc International Affairs and Strategic Studies, Masters Degree in Business Administration, Post Graduate Diploma in Security and Strategic Studies, Post Graduate Diploma in Management, Higher National Diploma in Electrical Engineering, Certificate in Security and Strategic Studies. He is Fellow of the National Defense University ( fndu ) and a Member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (MNSE).
During his over 33 years career in the Nigerian Army, General Aliyu was at different times the Chief Instructor at Military Engineering School, a UN Military Observer in Macedonia, Commanding Officer, Brigade Commander, Nigeria’s Defence Attaché to China with concurrent accreditation to Japan, Vietnam, Mongolia, North Korea, Laos and Bhutan. He was also at one time the Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence at Defence Intelligence Agency.
General Aliyu is a highly decorated senior military officer with a UN Preventive Deployment Medal, General Service Star (GSS), Distinguished Service Star ( DSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Pass Staff Course (psc), Fellow National Defence University (fndu) and Military Attache Medal from China Ministry of National Defense.
To render selfless and rewarding public service in Nigeria or elsewhere is not something akin to a simple nursery rhyme pupils recite in class sessions. It requires time and commitment; it needs energy, selfdepravity, discipline, determination, inspiration and undiluted focus on goals and targets as well as vigorous pursuit of the targets.
General Aliyu has never relented on his oars and has demonstrated this time and time again that a combination and efficiency of deployment of several or all attributes to earn success and etch
a positive image in public service is very necessary for a professional soldier, especially top officers who have risen to the status of leaders, offering service that would deposit indelible marks of success on specified assignments.
He has never concealed his contempt and disdain for the poor shape and status of the Army he made invaluable contribution to uplift, which was peopled by unprofessional, undisciplined, disloyal and unpatriotic personnel.
He thinks Nigeria at all times. He thinks the security, peace and unity of Nigeria. He is immensely gifted with enough dosage of enviable leadership qualities. He is a patriotic, selfless, dutiful, hardworking, humane and committed soldier, who is imbued with flair of swift responsiveness to emergencies, anywhere duty beckons. His patriotism is unequalled.
Quite interestingly, and contrary to the imaginary amazing portrait of the presented in the social media or online publications that could still falsely information.
What I have found difficult to reconcile is It’s not clear to me what we stand to gain, when others tend to jubilate,
Married with children and someone who enjoys swimming, Intelligence & Security, research into military strategy, diplomacy and International Affairs, SD Aliyu cannot be compromised or influenced, no matter the amount in millions offered to him as bribe. His devotion, total commitment and patriotism to the service of the fatherland are the invincible secrets of his winning streaks.
I am glad that Gen. Aliyu has proved to some doubting Thomases that despite being retired he continues in professional engagements and the service of the country. I dedicate this glorious odes to Maj Gen. SD Aliyu who ceaselessly scouts for fresh ways to bequeath a respected Army to Nigeria.
The narrative of success; crowns of victory, celebrations of valour in all special assignments SD Aliyu handles is signification of his effective utilization of these working virtues.
Some Nigerians may not appreciate the burden of workload and excess strain on the shoulders of the
I believe the narrative has changed for the good. And this is affirmed by the improvements we can see and feel on security around the country, despite the deliberately orchestrated drums of war. But whatever has been done to create negative impressions it has not blurred the positive differences and winning streaks of Maj. Gen. S D Aliyu.
He is an incurable workaholic and a goal getter. His optimism in determination, hard work and commitment as recipes for success is unyielding. He believes to make any impact; a man needs to stretch his energies and talents beyond the normal
S D Aliyu has proven to be a soldier of a rare breed, thick in character, principle and performance.
It’s rare to find in today’s Nigeria, the diary of a public servant in his category, which is this enlivened and rich. It explains why he is globally acknowledged as the epitome of hard work and splendor.
Lt. Col. Mohammed Bashir Bomai is a retired infantry officer