Danjuma: Still Striding Against The Odds At 88

Penultimate Tuesday, December 09, has come and gone, but the significance of the date has remained consequential in celebrating the life of a patriot, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd), whose love and capacity for the common good have set him apart. Purely a professional soldier who loathed political appointments as a soldier, attaining 88 years last week provided an opportunity to celebrate a life that has been devoted to the service of fellow citizens.

In line with his nature of not blowing his trumpets over any milestone, the Taraba-born military officer rose to the peak of his military profession when he was appointed the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in 1975. He was the unseen force that ensured the military regime restored democracy in 1979 by stoutly opposing the idea of extending military rule beyond the promised date of October 1, 1979. His testimonial as a military officer is best summed up by former Head of State and later President Olusegun Obasanjo who said: “He will certainly be remembered for his rare courage and contribution to the development of the Nigerian Army in which he rose to enviable heights. His brilliant career will be a textbook reference material for all young Nigerians in the Nigerian Armed Forces”.

Enigmatic Personality  

When he was born 88 years ago, the firmaments did not announce his birth, but he proved early in life that he abhorred injustice and mistreatment. His record in school showed him as a defender of juniors from the mistreatment of seniors. In the army, he never let down the bars in defending subordinates when he felt they were under oppression. In the battlefield, TY, as he is popularly called, led from the front and not from the rear. He mentally walked through his war strategies with his men before embarking on execution. If he was a hard officer on his men; he was harder on himself.

He had a particular attribute that is common to all great men: being misunderstood. Having an army of detractors who are fearful of his person, portraying TY in a bad light has remained a passion in their little corners during the night. However, during the day, they filed to pay homage to him. He has never disappointed by treating them according to their misdeeds. Even when he knows the content of their hearts and their mischief, Danjuma treats them according to the purity of his heart.

Another indispensable trait of Danjuma is his love and pursuit of excellence. He has little patience for mediocrity. This fact is contained in the words of former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, who said that Danjuma “is a man of excellence who does not accommodate mediocrity; only people of high standards survive around him”.

Truth Bearer

Those close to TY would readily state without doubt that truth is his shield. Since society hates people who stand for truth, it is not unusual to have people rise against all forms of insinuations calculated to lower their estimation before the public. For someone who does not seek validation for what he does, pandering to screamers of falsehood has no place in his heart. He does what he thinks is best for his nation, which is anchored on the common good.

The essence of General Danjuma as a truth bearer is succinctly captured by a former federal permanent secretary, Malam Ahmed Joda, who once declared: “I believe that Danjuma is one human being who has no secret and nothing to hide. Ask him a question about himself or anything else, and he will, without any hesitation, give you the frankest answer. Most people will hesitate to oblige. He hides nothing. I don’t know of anyone like that”.

Little wonder, Danjuma is always at the forefront of advocating for better living conditions for the people. Having served in government and as a key player in business, he is awesomely aware of what collaboration among men and women of goodwill can do in broadening frontiers in the service of mankind. The setting up of the TY Danjuma Foundation to uplift the conditions of fellow citizens is a testimony to his true love for the less privileged.

Still Untired

Despite attaining 88 years and still counting, the former army boss and Minister of Defence is still undeterred in ensuring the country he fought for is still on the right course. He does not allow current happenings in the country to obliterate his hope that Nigeria would be better someday. He remains the unseen force behind many causes for the unity and growth of the Nigerian state. Danjuma has grown beyond his roots to become a national and global icon who is changing the narrative on Nigeria’s leadership. In the service of humanity, the former military boss, through his humanitarian works, has debunked narratives that claim he is an adversary to some ethnic groups. Through his works and footprints, he has cultivated friendships across ethnic and religious divides.

Sometime in August, 2022, I had the singular privilege of meeting with General Danjuma through the former executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Professor Suleiman Elias Bogoro. After over an hour of incisive interaction with him, I got the answer to his invulnerability: Speaking less and focusing on his dreams. In doing what he is doing, he is a realist and does what he can. He seems to have borrowed what the former United States President, Abraham Lincoln, once said, “I do the best I can do. If the end brings me out right, then, all that is said against me won’t amount to anything. But if the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right won’t make a difference”.

Still not at the end but striding against all odds, even at @88, General Danjuma is right in the service of humanity. Happy Birthday and 88-gun salutes to the General whose vision for a better Nigeria remains impassioned.