| 词条 | Draft:Sani Kukasheka Usman |
| 释义 |
BRIGADIER GENERAL SANI KUKASHEKA USMAN (RETIRED) BRIGADIER GENERAL SANI KUKASHEKA USMAN (RETIRED)Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (retired), mni, FNIPR, renowned and experienced public relations expect until his voluntary retirement from the Nigerian Army in February 2019, was the Director Army Public Relations. He was credited with the transformation of public relations practice and information management in the Nigerian Army. The retired senior officer while in service has brought his great wealth of experience, knowledge and professionalism to bear in the discharge of his duties especially at the most critical times of management and dissemination of information regarding the Nigerian Army to the point of it being singled out as one of the most outstanding public institution in Nigeria. He has through constant and positive media relations made the Nigerian Army a point of reference. He has worked in various formations and units of the Nigerian Army, as well United Nations peacekeeping operations. While in service he had worked directly with over 5 Chiefs of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army. Until his retirement on 8th February 2019, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman was responsible for providing strategic communication direction for the Nigerian Army. Usman can also be described as a man of many sorts; an orator, excellent compere, a seasoned and accomplished military officer and public relations practitioner per excellence. He has a Master of Arts Degree in Media, Peace and Conflict Resolution from the United Nations Mandated University for Peace, San Jose, Costa Rica in 2011. He is also a Fellow of Nigerian Institute of the Public Relations (FNIPR), Member of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre and Member of the National Institute (mni). He is a thorough professional that gave the Nigerian Army good rating and reputation throughout his service through effective management and dissemination of information using the fastest and efficient modern communication tools and technology especially while he was at the helms of the affairs of the Directorate of Army Public Relations and Spokesman for the Nigerian Army. He accomplished all these through dint of hard work, dedication to duties and the determination to succeed. He was born on 2nd February 1965 at Kukasheka town, Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State Nigeria. Because of his brilliance, he spent only four years at Kukasheka Primary School, from 1973 to 1977 after which he proceeded to Government Secondary School Kafanchan, Kaduna State. He graduated in 1982. The zeal to serve his nation made him to enlist into the Nigerian Army as a soldier in 1983. After the mandatory six months training at Depot Nigerian Army Zaria in November 1983, he was posted to the Department of Army Public Relations, Headquarters of 82 Division Nigerian Army Enugu. After three years of service, he gained admission into the School of General Studies, Bayero University, Kano in 1986. However, he could not be released for a year which made him to defer the admission to the following academic session. After completion of the Pre-Degree Course, he was admitted into the Department of Mass Communication for a four degree programme. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication in 1991. A year later, he applied for and was granted Direct Regular Commission with the rank of Lieutenant into the Nigerian Army. Since his Commission as an officer in 1992, Usman has served in so many formations and units of the Nigerian Army and had two peacekeeping operations tour of duty under the United Nations in Sierra Leone from 2002 to 2003, Ethiopia and Eritrea from 2005 to 2006 where he held staff and command appointments. He has also attended so many courses both within Nigeria and abroad. He also has so many honours and awards to his credit. A renowned crisis manager, no sooner than he completed his officer cadet training, Usman had his job cut out for him in reputation and image management in the Nigerian Army. As soon as he was posted to the Headquarters, Directorate of Army Public Relations in 1993, after the officer cadet training, he was posted to Depot Nigerian Army Zaria where he served as Army Public Relations Officer (APRO) for Depot Nigerian Army and Nigerian Military School (NMS), Zaria for 6 years. During that period he served as the Master of Ceremony during all the activities of Depot Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Military School Zaria especially the Passing Out Parade of both institution. His diction, ability to capture the audience attention during such events endeared him greatly to those that attended such occasions. He also resuscitated Depot Nigerian Army’s newsletter, “The Buffalo” and also served as its Editor-in-Chief throughout the period. He was also on the Editorial Board of the “Junior Leader Magazine” of the Nigerian Military School Zaria. It was while he was serving in Zaria that he was nominated for Basic Arabic Course at the Nigerian Army School of Education (NASE), Ilorin in 1995. He was promoted Captain while serving at Depot Nigerian Army and Nigerian Military School, Zaria. In recognition of his great talent as highly gifted and eloquent Master of Ceremony and compere, he was posted to Guards Brigade Nigerian Army, Abuja in 1999. Throughout the 3 years service in the formation, Usman has participated or singly anchored various National Day Celebrations, Armed Forces Day Celebrations parades and other activities of the Brigade, as well as Army Headquarters level activities, amongst others. In 2002 however, as a Captain, he was nominated for Junior Staff Course at the prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC). On successful completion of the course, he was posted to 20 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Serti Baruwa. He was promoted Major while in 20 Battalion. After successful training by the Americans under the auspices of Operation Focus Relief, the unit was nominated for peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone in November 2002. The unit transformed into Nigerian Battalion 14 (NIBATT 14) of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), and was deployed in Freetown and its environs. Usman was appointed Military Public Information Officer (MPIO) of the unit, he also acted also as the MPIO for the Nigerian Contingent (NIGCON)/Sector West of that mission. He was credited for a popular programme on Radio UNAMSIL where along with some of his colleagues they showcased Nigerian happenings and rich culture through a popular programme, “Contingents Night”. In addition, he was able to select and train soldiers of his unit that served as Duty Continuity Announcers for the station. These soldiers were able to eventually manage the station and some of them are doing pretty well as compere here back home in Nigeria. On his return to Nigeria in November 2003, he was appointed Acting Public Relations Officer to the then Chief of Army Staff (PRO-COAS). He later served as the Liaison Officer between the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (LO-NAOWA), an appointment he combined with two others; General Staff Officer Grade I in charge of training (GSO 1 Trg) at the Headquarters of the Directorate of Army Public Relations and Webmaster for Nigerian Army official website for one year from 2004-2005. In September 2005, he was again nominated for another peacekeeping operation at the United Nations Mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia (UNMEE), where served as Operations Officer at the Civil-Military Cooperation Coordination (CIMIC). Barely some months in that mission, when Eritrea declared Europeans, Americans and Japanese persona non grata in country, he was made Chief G5 CIMIC of the mission, thus becoming the first Nigerian military officer to hold such appointment. He contributed immensely in initiating and supervising various humanitarian projects that cut across health, education and other social infrastructure in the war affected parts of Eritrea and Ethiopia. On successful completion of his tour of duty at UNMEE in September 2006, he was appointed College Public Relations Officer of Nigerian Army College of Logistics (NACOL). It was in NACOL he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. However, in 2007 he was appointed as PRO-COAS to the then newly appointed Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General LN Yusuf (retired), now late. Because of his high level of dedication to duty, great wealth of experience and professionalism, when there was change in the command of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General AB Dambazau (retired), retained him in that appointment till he left service. In 2010 however, Usman left for postgraduate studies at the United Nations Mandated University for Peace in San Jose, Costa Rica, despite desire to retain him in that post by Lieutenant General OA Ihejirika (retired), the then newly appointed Chief of Army Staff. On his return from course in Costa Rica, he was posted to Headquarters DAPR as Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) in 2011. In March 2012 however, he was posted to 1 Division Nigerian Army as Assistant Director and later Deputy Director Army Public Relations (DDAPR). While there, Usman established and sustained very cordial media and community relationship for the Division. This helped in minimising frictions, enhanced public understanding and support for the formation and the fight against terrorism and insurgency in that area. Brigadier General Usman (retired) was further posted to Headquarters DAPR as Chief of Staff in 2014 after 2 years in 1 Division Nigerian Army. Barely 5 months as Chief of Staff, he was posted to Headquarters of 7 Division Nigerian Army, the then epicentre of Boko Haram insurgency as DDAPR. While there, Usman as usual established and sustained excellent media-military relations. He also commenced broadcast on the abandoned Nigerian Army Radio Station located in Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri. It was his singular initial effort that gave birth to the present day popular LAFIYA DOLE FM Radio Station in Maiduguri. Destined for greater heights, Usman was appointed Acting Director Army Public Relations (Ag DAPR) in January 2015, an appointment he held till February 2018 when he was nominated to attend the Policy and Strategic course at the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Course, Kuru. Since his appointment, he has transformed the Nigerian Army’s media relations to the point that it became the source of reference in public information management all over the world. His timely and accurate dissemination of information using modern techniques and tools, greatly enhanced Nigerian Army’s image and reputation and put an end to Boko Haram terrorists propaganda. Through his effort in image and reputation management, the Nigerian Army has remained one of the most credible and trusted government institutions in the country. On return from the course in National Institute for Policy and Strategic Course, Kuru, in November 2019, he was again reappointed Director Army Public Relations with effect from 26th November 2018, thus making history as the first person to be so reappointed. However, on 7th February 2019, he announced his voluntarily retired from the Nigerian Army after over 3 decades of fulfilling and rewarding career. As noted earlier, Brigadier General Usman has attended several courses here in Nigeria and outside in both military and civilian institutions. These include a 6-month Basic Arabic Course at the Nigerian Army School of Education (NASE), Ilorin in 1994. He also attended the prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji for Junior Staff Course in 2002. He was also at the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Training Centre, Accra Ghana for Media Operations Course in 2005. He also did several online courses at United Nations Assistance Training programme (UNITAR) with distinction. These include Global Terrorism and Insurgency, Military Observer and Civil Military Cooperation and Coordination, Peacekeeping and International Conflict Resolution-United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in 2003, as well as Professionalizing Protocol, Information and Press Duties for Efficient and Effective Administration - African Business School Johannesburg, South Africa, amongst others. He also attended United Nations Mandated University for Peace (UPEACE), San Jose, Costa Rica from 2010-2011, where he obtained a Master of Arts Degree in Media, Peace and Conflicts Studies. He also has successfully completed the United Nations’ Basic Security in the Field-Staff Safety, Health and Welfare course in May 2011. He also attended Senior Officers’ Spokesman’s Course at Joint Information Activities Group, Royal Air Force, Halton, London, United Kingdom in 2015. He also attended Journalists Protection in Conflict Zone course at Hellenic National Defence General Staff Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Centre, Greece in 2016. In addition to seminars, he also attended the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru where he bagged the highly coveted Member of the National Institute (mni) in 2018. He has attended numerous courses and seminars in order to enhance his knowledge and professional competence. His effective use of modern communications tools has stood him out among his contemporaries to the point of being awarded one of the most outstanding public relations officer in Nigeria by various reputable organizations. In view of experience, he has been well sort after by training schools and organizations where he delivers papers on public relations practice, digital and social media. These include the Nigerian Union of Journalists Press Week in Zaria, Kaduna State, Army War College Nigeria and the Nigerian Army Finance Corps 3 Division Third Quarter Study Period. He also successfully organized a combined the Directorate of Army Public Relations’ Second and Third Quarters Study Period and Media Workshop 2017. Brigadier General Usman’s timely response to media enquiries and press releases has kept the public abreast of the activities of the Nigerian Army, which elicit understanding, and support of Nigerian Army. In addition, he actively participated in all Nigerian Army Training and extra regimental activities. In recognition of his experience and professional competency, he had been a resource person at Commanding Officers Workshop on 13 March 2017 at Maiduguri where he delivered a paper titled “The impact of Social Media on Military Operations: A Case Study of Operations LAFIYA DOLE” and at the Army War College Nigeria on 19 July 2017 where he delivered a lecture titled “Media Relations, Traditional and New”. A gifted orator and an excellent event manager, Brigadier General Usman always anchor all Army Headquarters level activities which Chief of Army Annual and Quarterly Conferences, as well as visits during his tenure as Director Army Public Relations. In recognition of his extraordinary professional qualities, dedication to duty and immense contribution to soldiering and Public Relations practice, Brigadier General SK Usman is highly decorated with military honours and awards. He is also a recipient of so many awards from civil organizations and institutions both here in Nigeria and outside the country. Some of these include Forces Service Star (FSS), an award for 15 years of unblemished record of service in the Nigerian Army, Meritorious Service Star (MSS), for attaining 20 years of unblemished records of service, Distinguished Service Star (DSS) for over 25 years unblemished record of service and General Operations Medal (GOM) for his bravery and unquantifiable contributions to the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the country and Operation ZAMAN LAFIYA Medal in 2015. He also has the Silver Jubilee Medal (SJM), Golden Jubilee Medal (GJM) and the United Nations Medal for Peace from the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone in 2003, as well as the United Nations Medal for Peace from the United Nations Mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia (UNMEE) in 2006. He was equally given Certificate of Merit for Radio Production from the Headquarters of UNAMSIL in 2003 and Certificate of Appreciation for Excellent Contribution to the success of first ever-Peacekeeping Course for Emerging Troops/Police Contributing Countries in 2004. Usman was also given Chief of Army Staff’s Letter of Commendation and Force Commander’s Commendation Letter for outstanding performance as CIMIC officer at United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) in 2006. He was the Best delegate for Excellent Performance at the Annual University for Peace Model United Nations Conference 2011. He was also awarded River Niger Star (RNS) for gallantry by the Nigerian Army. He is also awarded the Corps Medal of Honour (CMH) for being the head of the Army Public Relations Directorate creditably well. In 2015, he was awarded the “Best Security Information Manager in West Africa” by Security Watch Africa. The Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Federal Capital Chapter, conferred him yet with another most deserving Diligence to Service award in 2016, Arewa Trust Publications also gave him similar award in the same year. Intellectually sound, Brigadier General SK Usman has written and presented so many papers and lectures, mostly on the Media, Security, Public Relations, Peacekeeping and Image Management at various seminars, study periods and workshops. Because of his professional competency and immense contributions to public relations in Nigeria, he was given so many Honours and Awards this year. These include Fellow Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (FNIPR), by the prestigious Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in April 2017, Outstanding Military Spokesman of the Year, Africa Roundtable Initiative in March 2017, An Icon of Diligent Service, Security and Capacity Building Award by Vision One Leadership Development on 25 May 2017, Icon of Vision and Excellence Award by Institute of Corporate Administration on 9 September 2017, Best Spokesman of the Year 2017, by the North East Magazine in December 2017, Excellent Service Award by Institute for Service Excellence and Good Governance on 7th December 2017 and Arewa Trust newspaper Man of the Year Award In December 2017. These awards positively impacted positively on the image of the Nigerian Army. Usman possesses personal qualities that distinguished him among his colleagues and contemporaries. He is highly committed to his duties, disciplined and selfless which makes him enjoys trust and confidence of his subordinates, colleagues, superiors and indeed members of the general public. Brigadier General Usman has also attended a number of seminars and short courses both within Nigeria and abroad and is widely travelled. He is happily married and is blessed beautiful kids. At his leisure, Brigadier General Usman enjoys reading and listening to music. Indeed Usman has been an officer and a gentleman, a seasoned and battle tested professional that is not only best security information manager in West Africa, but the most active and media friendly military and security forces public relations practitioner, while in service. There is no doubt he has carved his name in gold in the annals public relations practice and information management in Nigeria. No sooner than he announced his retirement, the Nigerian Army appointed him as a Consultant Director, Corporate Affairs and Information at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja. Similarly, the National Open University (NOUN) also appointed him Faculty Member of its Business School at the Post Graduate School. ReferencesExternal links |
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