The Udu of Isoko nation and former Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Bashorun Askia Ogieh JP, has described the late General Paul Ufuoma Omu as a rare gem whose value would never be lost on Nigeria, Delta State and Isoko nation.
In a statement to mourn Omu who was former Military Governor of the South Eastern State of Nigeria, later Cross River State, Askia who was also Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Council noted that Omu was not only a General in the military but also in politics, nation building, state and community development.
“First, I mourn General Paul Omu as a father. By association and his sense of love and openness, I take humble pride in the fact that he regarded me as his first son, mentoring and supporting me in all my endeavours.
“Paul Omu was more than a military General. He was a colossus who bestrode every aspect of life, and in his demise, Nigeria has lost a rare gem.
“His record of service is exemplary. From the Commander of the Western Naval Flagship, to Commander of the 33 Infantry Brigade, he served meritoriously and without blemish.
“He was highly sought after by various administrations of the Federation. The Generals Murtala Mohammed and Olusegun Obasanjo administration found him worthy to be Military Governor of South Eastern State. The Muhammadu Buhari administration trusted him to chairman the Military Tribunal on public officers, later appointed him Commandant of the Command and Staff College, Jaji, and a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council. Then, General Ibrahim Babangida appointed him chairman of the panel to review recommendations of the Political Bureau on transition from military to civilian administration. In other words, he was one of the architects of our present democratic experience, and in 2009, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua appointed him chairman of the Governing Board of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
“In our present democratic experience, he headed the South-South reconciliation committee of the People’s Democratic Party in 2008 and, in Delta State, he was appointed a member of the Vision 2020 Council which articulated the state’s long-term development plan.
“These all are in recognition of his outstanding intelligence and the values he brought to state and national service.
“Back at home in Isoko nation, he became the President General of Isoko Development Union, and his contributions to the unity, development and progress of Isokoland earned him the title of the Othuke (Defender) of Isoko nation, one of only five persons that have been so recognised by the collectivity of Isoko traditional rulers.
“These all prove that his services transcended various segments of society. But the beauty of General Omu is that he served efficiently and effectively in every capacity to which he was called, even though quietly and self effacingly.”
