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Usman: An officer and a gentleman

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Usman: An officer and a gentleman

Usman: An officer and a gentleman

 

 

 

In Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (Rtd), the Nigerian Army has produced a shining star – one with intellectual resources, a master of perpetual public relations. He’s a perfect example of a round peg in a round hole.

 

Usman: An officer and a gentleman

The first and only time I met Mr. Usman was at a public event in honour of leading Nigerian columnists, organized by The League of Nigerian Columnists in October 2021. As a former spokesman of the Nigerian Army, it was befitting for him to be the lead speaker, as the theme of the event was Security & Human Rights. Asides that, I have watched many of his interviews on TV.

 

 

 

 

His voice hardly rises more than a whisper. Audible but not loud. In other words: a measured voiced. He is not just a cool speaker or soft spoken, he personifies it. The cool, collected air about him as usual, makes you wonder what he was doing in military uniform.

 

 

Usman: An officer and a gentleman

At the event, the 56-year-old (now 58) spoke of a wide range of issues bordering on security and human rights. It wasn’t the regular boring speech that many public servants give. It had soul. You could tell he was a huge part in the speech writing and his thoughts were clearly reflected. I know this because I have read many speeches and listened to many speeches in my over 30 years of existence. I have also written several speeches for people. And like I mentioned earlier, I have listened to him several times on TV. And I know his world view.

Part of his statement read: ‘’Globalisation has further compounded the problems of states in guaranteeing the safety and security of the citizenry as there is a clash of western ideas and ideologies. Western values and ideas have overridden our societal values and thus heightened hopes and expectations. With this, things were expected to get better but could not because of neo-colonialism and capitalism.

‘’Therefore, the State finds it very difficult to respond to both, based on respect for human rights. Here, we have a situation where a system or community does not believe in a particular way of life, yet some citizens believe in it. Typical examples are homosexuality and lesbianism, which the Western world is trying to impose on Nigeria. Some are saying the countries are wrong. On the other side, the terrorists want to impose their religious ideologies. Therefore, the world is in a state of dilemma regarding ideas and ideologies competing with each other.’’

We are definitely on the same page in this regard.

Usman can easily pass for a scholar who was never part of the military when he speaks or writes. But when he begins to articulate his experience in the army, you would be amazed. He can be described as the best of both worlds. In other words, an officer and a gentleman. Born February 2, 1965, Mr Usman had his primary and secondary education in Kukasheka and Kafanchan, in Kaduna State, respectively. He joined the Nigerian Army as recruit in 1983 and was posted to Headquarters 82 Division Army Public Relations, Enugu.

Before he retired from the Nigerian Army in February 2019, he was the Director of Army Public Relations and Spokesman for the Nigerian Army for four years. While in service, he promoted hard work, dedication, professional excellence and changed the face of public relations practice and strategic communication in the Nigerian Army. He has set the bar very high for his successors.

How did he become the face of the Nigerian army? Well, it wasn’t without dint of hard work. It took him many years of preparation. He studied the courses required and he became qualified.

After a few years in the Army, he went to Bayero University Kano to study mass communications and was awarded a bachelor’s degree after four years, graduating in 1991.

He took public relations courses at different institutions and held positions as Army spokesperson at different commands within and outside the country throughout his career.

He holds a Master’s degree in Media, Peace, and Conflict Studies from the United Nations Mandated University for Peace (UPEACE), San Jose, Costa Rica. He also attended the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, as a member of Senior Executive Course 40, 2018.

The former Army spokesperson has attended several professional courses, seminars, and workshops both within Nigeria and abroad in his remarkable military career. These include Senior Officers’ Spokesman’s Course at Joint Information Activities Group, Royal Air Force, Halton, London, the United Kingdom in 2015, Journalists Protection in Conflict Zone course at Hellenic National Defence General Staff Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Centre, Greece in 2016 and a 6-month Basic Arabic Course at the Nigerian Army School of Education (NASE), Ilorin in 1994.

While in the military, he served in various units and formations of the Nigerian Army and had two tours of duty on United Nations Peace Keeping Operations in Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. He also held several command and staff appointments in various formations and units of the Nigerian Army, the last of which was, Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR).

Mr Usman was appointed acting spokesperson of the Nigerian Army on January 30, 2015, while a colonel. His appointment was confirmed in June 2017, months after he was promoted as a brigadier-general in December 9, 2016.

He has won several awards since his retirement from the Army in 2019. For aspiring officers across all security agencies, his remarkable story must be known. Not only for would-be officers but undergraduates who want to make a career in any field of endeavour as civilians. It is very important to tell stories like this, especially today when a lot of youth are seeking for shortcuts to success. There is no shortcut to success. Only hard work and consistency lead to success.

And the Kukasheka way is an enduring one. It is the best path to success.

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Rome Visit Amid Smears and Propaganda Storm

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Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Rome Visit Amid Smears and Propaganda Storm

Presidential hopeful and former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has calmly addressed a wave of politically charged misinformation following his recent visit to the Vatican, where he attended an inauguration ceremony. The backlash, largely fanned by known government allies Femi Fani-Kayode, Reno Omokri, and Omoyele Sowore, misrepresented the nature of his visit and falsely accused him of refusing to “pay homage” to the Pope until a supposed presidential intervention.

Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Rome Visit Amid Smears and Propaganda Storm

Contrary to the sensational headlines, Mr. Obi clarified that he did not meet the Pope, nor was such a meeting on his agenda. “I bought my own ticket and traveled for what I believe is a personal, non-political trip,” he told a close confidant in Abuja before departing. Emphasizing his commitment to modesty, Obi disclosed that he flew economy class, adding, “It’s the difference between business class and economy that I use for donations to build classrooms.”

Obi’s visit to Rome mirrored his past trips to the Vatican, including the 2013 inauguration of Pope Francis. A Papal Knight and longstanding Catholic faithful, Mr. Obi is no stranger to such events. This time, he traveled alongside former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi, both of whom held official passes granting them VIP access. They also paid a visit to Cardinal Francis Arinze, a 90-year-old Nigerian cleric and longtime Vatican figure — an act Obi has made a tradition of during such visits.

The criticisms have drawn widespread rebuke, with many questioning why a man known for self-funding his travels and donating millions to health and education continues to face political smears, while those squandering public funds remain unchallenged. Obi’s quiet return to Nigeria was followed, as usual, by school and hospital visits — the kind of grassroots outreach that has cemented his reputation as a man of service, not spectacle.

As misinformation continues to plague Nigeria’s political discourse, observers are calling for a return to truth and substance. “Enough of the lies. Enough of the propaganda. The truth has no tribe,” said a supporter who met with Obi before his Rome trip.

In an era of performative politics, Obi’s response has once again underscored his consistent message: humility, service, and transparency over noise.

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Casssahaaat!” – Davido Sparks Frenzy After Flaunting Mysterious Multi-Million Dollar Paycheck

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Casssahaaat!” – Davido Sparks Frenzy After Flaunting Mysterious Multi-Million Dollar Paycheck

Afrobeats sensation Davido has set social media ablaze once again after teasing fans with a cryptic Instagram post flaunting a massive paycheck — but keeping the final figure under wraps. In the now-viral post, the superstar shared an image revealing just “$11” followed by a string of blurred-out zeros, captioned simply with his signature exclamation, “Casssahaaat!”, and laughing emojis.

Casssahaaat!” – Davido Sparks Frenzy After Flaunting Mysterious Multi-Million Dollar Paycheck

The post has sparked a wave of speculation and banter online, with fans and critics alike attempting to decode the real figure behind the blurred digits. Many believe the paycheck is a staggering $11 million, roughly ₦1.7 billion, though Davido has yet to confirm.

This latest flex follows backlash the singer received for flaunting his $500,000 diamond-studded teeth and $2 million necklace, fueling debates around extravagance and humility. But Davido, never shy to stir the pot, appears unfazed by the criticism.

Fans flooded the comment section with mixed reactions. One user, Rich Hommie_yslimm, joked, “Make I show my account balance na radio station?” while Victor Timilehin quipped, “Fatherless children will soon start crying.” Another fan, Akass Onah, threw shade with, “30BG but we ain’t sure the amount, that might be 11k dozz,” and Ayomitunde Adeleke chimed in, “Now I know why they call me the broke Adeleke.”

As usual, Davido remains a master of both music and mystery — leaving fans guessing, critics grumbling, and the internet buzzing.

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From the Pulpit to the Tarmac: Televangelist Timothy Omotoso Deported After 8-Year Legal Battle

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“Unwelcome Return: South Africa Deports Televangelist Timothy Omotoso After Acquittal

 

JOHANNESBURG — Controversial Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been deported from South Africa after being declared an undesirable person by the Department of Home Affairs, just weeks after his dramatic acquittal on high-profile criminal charges.

Omotoso was officially deported on May 18, 2025, with viral footage showing him being escorted by South African police and Home Affairs officials as he boarded a flight back to Nigeria at OR Tambo International Airport.

The founder of Jesus Dominion International was acquitted in April of 32 charges, including rape, human trafficking, and racketeering — allegations that had kept him behind bars for nearly eight years following his arrest in 2017. His case gripped the South African public and drew widespread international media coverage, particularly due to the graphic nature of the testimonies and repeated delays in the judicial process.

From the Pulpit to the Tarmac: Televangelist Timothy Omotoso Deported After 8-Year Legal Battle

While Omotoso walked free from the courtroom last month, his legal vindication did not spare him from expulsion. According to the South African Department of Home Affairs, his presence in the country was no longer considered welcome, prompting immediate deportation proceedings.

“Mr. Timothy Omotoso has been declared an undesirable person under the Immigration Act. He was removed from the Republic on May 18, 2025,” the department confirmed in a brief statement.

The deportation has reignited debate around South Africa’s immigration and justice systems. Critics argue that Omotoso’s lengthy pretrial detention and eventual acquittal reflect deep flaws in the country’s legal machinery. Others insist his removal was necessary to preserve public trust and prevent further division.

Omotoso’s defense team, meanwhile, has decried the move as politically motivated and unjust, suggesting the televangelist is being punished despite his acquittal.

“This is not just deportation. It’s an attempt to erase a man who was never proven guilty in a court of law,” a source close to Omotoso’s ministry told reporters.

Since his return to Nigeria, Omotoso has remained out of the public eye, with no official statement yet from his church or legal representatives. Whether he will attempt to continue his religious mission from his home country — or mount a legal challenge to his deportation — remains to be seen.

His case, marked by emotional testimony, legal wrangling, and now, forced removal, is likely to be remembered as one of the most polarizing chapters in South Africa’s recent legal history.

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