celebrity radar - gossips
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.
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.
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.
celebrity radar - gossips
Star Entertainers Set for Angel Global Promotions ‘Our Night of Heritage’ Show in UK Nov 29
Star Entertainers Set for Angel Global Promotions ‘Our Night of Heritage’ Show in UK Nov 29
London city will be agog on Friday, 29th of November 2024, as A-List Nigerian entertainers stage performance at this year’s edition of ‘Our Night of Heritage’ (Ale Asa Wa) show.
Aimed at recognizing outstanding achievements in concerts, shows, and cultural events, the event which promises to be a talk-of-the-town, will be held at LOG Hall Abbey Quilting Selinas Lane, Dagenham, RM8 1ES, London SE16 2BD, United Kingdom.
According to Princess Adetutu Jakande, the chief organizer of Ale Asa Wa and CEO of Angel Global Promotions UK, the 5th edition of the AfriCulture tradition and entertainment awards event serves as a platform for celebrating African culture and entertainment while highlighting the exceptional talents of individuals who have contributed to the growth and development of the industry.
An array of entertainment performers have been lined up to give the night the touch of glamour and class while the event streams live in the media across the globe. They include Gospel star, Biyi Samuel; Alhaji Lateef a.k.a. Student Fuji; Kemi Alayo a.k.a. Idi Ope; Poly Mr Correct; Ekundayo Mr Manna; Alhaji Wasiu Adekunle Classical Fuji; MC Loko a.k.a. Omo Woli; Omoba Ademola a.k.a. Demo Performer, and a whole lots of other stars and side attractions.
With 30 Pounds entry fee, the organizers have announced that Ankara fabrics are available for smooth access to the event venue and numbers to call are +44745382120, +447960892460, +447308779733. Seasoned Nollywood actor, Kunle Afod, will feature as special guest artiste.
According to the organizers, there will also be presentation of awards where selected individuals will be recognized for their impactful contributions to the entertainment industry.
celebrity radar - gossips
Prophet Kingsley Aitafo Set To Dedicate Multi-million Naira Church Auditorium
Prophet Kingsley Aitafo Set To Dedicate Multi-million Naira Church Auditorium
It’s a season of Joy as Prophet Kingsley Oladapo Aitafo, founder of Oneness in Christ ministry has invited everyone to the altar laying and dedication of their new multi-million naira church auditorium on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024’.
We reliably gathered that the dedication of the new auditorium known as CCC Living Tabernacle will be held by 10am at Olorunlugo bus stop, along oko ope,off ijomo road,baba ode in Ogun state.
According to our information, many dignitaries, celebrities who have been partakers of the grace of God through Prophet Kingskey Aitafo are billed to honour the altar laying and church dedication of CCC living Grace Tabernacle.
In his words, the Shepherd in charge, prophet Aitafo attributed all the glory to God for the grace to complete the auditorium.
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