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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.
Mr Omulu and his wife
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.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has vowed to appeal the judgement of the governorship election tribunal which nullified his election and declared the APC candidate, Nasiru Yusuf Gawauna as the winner.
KANO FOCUS reports that Yusuf made the declaration on Wednesday night, while making a broadcast to the people of the state.
He said his legal team had been directed to appeal the judgement at the court of appeal in order to reclaim the mandate given to him by the people of the State.
He, therefore, Called on the good people of the state to remain calm and continue to be law abiding as security agents have been directed to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizens.
“Let me assure you that the this government would continue to work for the development of the people of the state as the judgement will never dampen our spirit or discourage us from the good work we have started.” he said.
The Governor, who thanked the people of the state for their continued support and cooperation, urged them to go about with normal activities.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Tuesday, said that Kano State has recorded 5,800 suspected cases of Diphtheria from January to date.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Head, UNICEF Field Office, Kano, Mr Rahama Mohammned-Farah, stated this in Kano during a one-day media orientation on Diphtheria outbreak.
The UN Agency said the cases were recorded in 39 local government areas of the state.
According to him, Kano State has the highest number of recorded cases in the country, adding that Diphtheria was a highly contagious and infectious disease that could cause death.
Mohammned-Farah stressed that proactive measures were necessary to stem the outbreak.
“Recently, we have seen a surge in the number of reported Diphtheria cases in Nigeria, and Nigeria is currently facing an outbreak that needs to be stopped and prevented.
“As of July, Diphtheria cases have been on the rise. As of last week, over 400 suspected cases with 11 deaths have been reported in Kano.
“Out of the 39 LGAs affected, eight are the most affected, including Ungogo with 2,651 cases; Dala 989, Fagge 943, Gwale 714, Kumbotso 713, Nasarawa 538, Kano Municipal 506 and Tarauni 269,” he said.
He said that 60.8 per cent of the suspected cases had been reported in children not vaccinated, which reinforced the critical need to address the issue of zero doses, especially in Kano State.
“UNICEF delivered 1.2 million vaccines to the Kano State Government in our continuing support to the government response to Diphtheria outbreak.
“Diphtheria outbreak is a threat to child survival, health and the wellbeing of children. UNICEF is collaborating with government and partners to respond to the emergency to save the lives of children affected.
“In Kano state, UNICEF supported Tetanus-Diphtheria reactive vaccination campaigns in February, April and August, vaccinating 23,200 children in round one.
“While 277,796 children vaccinated in round two and 29,500 others in round-3 of the exercise.
“We engaged 150 traditional leaders on Diphtheria outbreak and distribution of Diphtheria IEC materials, and deployed 1,500 VCMs to the worst affected LGAs to conduct house-to-house sensitisations and referral of suspected cases to health facilities.
“Media has a key role to play particularly in infection prevention, and risk communication and community engagement,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Muhammad Nasir-Mahmoud, the Director-General, Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, said the state government had adopted drastic measures to curtail spread of the disease.
“We are committed towards educating the public about what is happening and the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has promised that Kano will be accorded priority in terms of vaccine distribution,” he said.
While describing the media as partners in the fight against Diphtheria, Nasir-Mahmoud urged them to support the campaign against the disease.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Interparty Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) has urged the judges of the Kano election petition tribunal court to discharge its duties with utmost integrity and impartiality.
KANO FOCUS reports that this was contained in a statement issued by the organization secretary Kano chapter Nuhu Idris on Tuesday.
IPAC also called upon the tribunal to consider each case diligently and ensure that all the parties involved are given equal opportunities to present their argument and evidence.
It could be recalled that the election tribunal has fixed Wednesday 20th September 2023 to deliver judgment on APC’s petition against Abba Kabir Yusuf.
A hearing notice issued by the Secretary of the election petition tribunal on Monday said the judgment would be delivered at 9.00 a.m., at the High Court of Miller Road in Kano.
Mr Idris said the organization has acknowledged the importance of the electoral process in a democratic society, where the voice and choice of the people are paramount.
He said the ongoing legal proceedings before the tribunal are a testament to the vibrancy of democracy and the resolve of citizens to seek redress through legal means.
“IPAC firmly believes that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
“We, Therefore, implore the tribunal to maintain transparency in its proceedings allowing the public and all concerned parties to have confidence in the outcome of the legal process, the statement said.
He added that it is essential that the tribunal’s decisions are guided by the rule of law and the facts presented, rather than any external influence.
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