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.
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 he
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.
