News
NCC holds valedictory forum for exemplary, retiring staff, Osmund Omulu
Nasiru Yusuf
Members of staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) converged in the Conference Room of the Commission’s Head Office recently, to honour Osmund Omulu, a staff of the Commission, who is retiring upon attaining the Nigerian public service mandatory retirement age of 60 years.
KANO FOCUS reports that Omulu, who joined the Commission in 2002, has been described as an unusually focused, peaceful gentleman who is always willing to assist and educate people on how to make their work better.
Even those who are his seniors, who met him at the Commission and others who worked with him as a colleague prior to his sojourn at NCC recalled how much Omulu guided them through basic processes.
At the valedictory where every speaker spoke like an author of a chapter in a book of memoirs, Omulu was described as a great historian, who put a historical context to every knowledge he had to share with his colleagues.
He was also described as a man, whose physical appearance is in synergy with his soul and spirit because of his predilection not to carry grudges nor hold on to any negative memory about anyone.
“Even when he disagreed with people’s opinion and conduct, he ensured that things are settled and everyone moved on, as he never had the record of nursing grudges with anybody”, a testimonial stated.
Gentlemanly, focused and unassuming, Omulu was also described “a living repository of Commission’s cherished standard practice” by his colleagues, many of who participated virtually in the valedictory programme.
A man of a modest and humble beginning, Omolu started his career at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) as a stenographer and rose to become a confidential secretary but he was so methodical and had acquired so much knowledge that a staff who met him at UBA and now works at the Commission described as “his first teacher in banking” even though the latter had joined UBA as a senior to Omulu.
After Omulu joined NCC, he enrolled for and completed a degree in Accounting and proceeded to complete his professional examination with the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB), a programme he had enlisted for while he was a banker. Omulu is now a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.
Hence, Omulu, who is married with children, is perceived as a study in focus and determination. The send-off programme was also attended by Omulu’s wife and children.
Directors, Deputy Directors, other senior management staff, as well as staff representing different categories of staff in the organisational hierarchy were present at the event. Attendees also include persons representing other communities of interests outside the Commission, particularly those with whom Omulu has had long relationship in Abuja, his community in Enugu and in Kano, where he had part of his education.
One after another, speakers attested to Omulu’s sterling character and fondness for building community through uniting people, enhancing peaceful co-existence, ensuring thoroughness in delivery of jobs at work place and his bubbling unusual energy despite his age.
Avuncular, respectful, stickler to rules, tenacious, determined and with an eye for details, Omulu was described as bringing all these attributes to bear on his work in ways that have enhanced the work at the Commission.
The foregoing explained the litany of praises, well-wishes and entreaties that were recurring feature of the tributes and goodwill messages delivered by no fewer than 15 people representing different communities of interest that collaborated to organise, attend and participate in the valedictory forum in his honour.
The presence of four Directors, some Heads of Departments and many Heads of Units at the event was an eloquent testimony to how much Mr Omulu is loved and appreciated by his colleagues in different cadres at the Commission.
His current supevisior, Yetunde Akinloye, who is Director, Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis; Yakubu Gontor, Director, Financial Services; Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director Public Affairs; and Usman Malah, Director, Human Capital and Administration also spoke well of Omulu.
Other Management staff, including Reuben Mouka, Head, Special Duties; Ibrahim Aliyu, Head, Administration; and Usman Mamman, Head Pre-Licensing, who had worked with Omulu at UBA, all spoke so glowingly about Omulu and wished him a blissful life in retirement.
Headlines
Kano State Head of Service Denies Claims of Political Rift Behind Senior Civil Service Postings
The Office of the Head of Civil Service in Kano State has strongly rejected a recent news report that linked the appointment of new Permanent Secretaries and Directors to an alleged rift within the ruling party.
In a statement issued on November 6, 2024, Abdullahi Musa, the Head of Civil Service, categorically dismissed the claims as “false, mischievous, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.”
Musa clarified that the recent postings were part of routine administrative procedures aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the state’s civil service. He explained that the moves were necessary to fill vacancies created by the imminent retirements of senior civil servants, particularly the Permanent Secretaries and Directors affected by the annulled tenure elongation plan, set to take effect in December.
“These postings were not influenced by political considerations or interpersonal conflicts,” Musa emphasized. “They are standard administrative actions designed to improve the functionality of our Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).”
The Head of Service also condemned the media report for suggesting that the reshuffling of senior officials was a reaction to a political divide, asserting that such claims were unfounded and aimed at creating unnecessary discord within the state’s leadership.
Musa reaffirmed that the civil service in Kano State remains apolitical and committed to functioning independently of political dynamics. He urged the public and media outlets to rely on verified information and avoid spreading rumors that could undermine the state’s stability.
“The Office of the Head of Civil Service remains fully committed to ensuring the smooth operation of the civil service and fostering a harmonious relationship among all branches of government,” he concluded.
Musa also called on media outlets and citizens to focus on factual reporting and refrain from amplifying false narratives that could erode public trust in the administration’s decisions.
Headlines
Cour order mental evaluation for Kano woman after strange theft case testimony
By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Kano Woman Facing Theft Charges Claims She’s “Above Theft,” Demands 200,000 Naira, and Alleges Stolen Belongings Taken from Her Stomach.
On Tuesday a theft case took an unusual turn at the Sharia Court in Kano’s Kurna area after the defendant, Hajara Ibrahim, made a series of perplexing statements, leading the court to order a mental health evaluation.
Hajara, who was brought before the court on theft charges, declared that she was “above committing theft” and insisted that she would only respond to the accusations if her case were taken before the Emir of Kano.
As the proceedings continued, her behavior grew stranger.
When asked if she had any mental health issues, she ignored the question.
In another exchange, when the judge asked her to identify the ceiling fans in the courtroom, she retorted that no one had the authority to make her look at a fan.
Hajara further shocked the court by demanding 200,000 Naira for “medical expenses” and claimed that some of her belongings had been mysteriously taken from her stomach.
The case took a new twist when a man identified himself as Hajara’s brother and told the court that she had a history of mental health issues.
Based on this information and her erratic behavior, presiding judge Shamsudden Ado Abdullahi instructed the court clerk to send a letter to Dawanau Psychiatric Hospital, requesting a mental health assessment for Hajara.
The judge then adjourned the case to December 9, 2024, awaiting the results of her evaluation.
Headlines
Cour order mental evaluation for Kano woman after strange theft case testimony
By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Kano Woman Facing Theft Charges Claims She’s “Above Theft,” Demands 200,000 Naira, and Alleges Stolen Belongings Taken from Her Stomach.
On Tuesday a theft case took an unusual turn at the Sharia Court in Kano’s Kurna area after the defendant, Hajara Ibrahim, made a series of perplexing statements, leading the court to order a mental health evaluation.
Hajara, who was brought before the court on theft charges, declared that she was “above committing theft” and insisted that she would only respond to the accusations if her case were taken before the Emir of Kano.
As the proceedings continued, her behavior grew stranger.
When asked if she had any mental health issues, she ignored the question.
In another exchange, when the judge asked her to identify the ceiling fans in the courtroom, she retorted that no one had the authority to make her look at a fan.
Hajara further shocked the court by demanding 200,000 Naira for “medical expenses” and claimed that some of her belongings had been mysteriously taken from her stomach.
The case took a new twist when a man identified himself as Hajara’s brother and told the court that she had a history of mental health issues.
Based on this information and her erratic behavior, presiding judge Shamsudden Ado Abdullahi instructed the court clerk to send a letter to Dawanau Psychiatric Hospital, requesting a mental health assessment for Hajara.
The judge then adjourned the case to December 9, 2024, awaiting the results of her evaluation.