TRIBUTE TO MIKE OMERI @56:
Mallam Suleiman Odapu
A patriot committed to his ROOTS
On a day like this, when ones “Grand Father”, Mentor, friend and BOSS is celebrating his natal day, one has only an option, to give gratitude to Allah for his life thus far. It is the story of Dr. Mike Omeri, Obowu ka Keana, who was born the same year Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. It was July 14, 1964 in Mubi, present day Adamawa State. The World did not take note of his birth, except the Catholic Church in Mubi that registered the birth and still has the records till date.
Dr. Mike Omeri is every inch a patriot and his patriotism is mindful of his roots; Keana, Alago, Nasarawa State, Nigeria etc. Here is a man who mentors talents irrespective of one’s ethnic group, religious, regional, or ideological believe. Here is a story.
It was in November 2006, my friends led by Ajiga Osoho had produced an Alago musical album and invited me to serve as MC of the lunch of the album. The album is to later become their “Bakan damiya”. Seated at the event were all former Commissioners of Information in Nasarawa State that are of the Alago extraction, Hamza Elayo and Suleiman Adokwe. Mike Omeri who was the first Alago Commissioner for Information in Nasarawa State was also seated. I had met both Mr Elayo and Adokwe during my political sojourn in student’s unionism. I have never met Mike Omeri, even though I have heard a lot about him. So, on that day, midway into my anchoring, a young man amongst the former Commissioners called me and ask few questions. He enquired my name, where I work and my state of origin. I responded and I could see his interest was on my discipline (Mass Communications) state of origin and ethnic group and the fact that I was about joining the labor market as NYSC POP was two months away.
Nobody introduced me to Dr. Omeri he just saw me, developed interest in me and that was the beginning of a mentor /mentee relationship. That is how Dr. Mike Omeri bring out young ones and mentor them. He needs not to know you. He has done that many times to young ones from different parts of the country and you begin to wonder how he puts nationalism first yet not undermining his roots.
Mike Omeri is an experienced Communications Expert and whose life fits the saying “born with a silver spoon”. At a very young age, he was a Director of Press to a Military Administrator, Commissioner, and member of the technical working group of Arewa Consultative Forum. This former classroom teacher was also a Suya seller at some point. Read https://bit.ly/3iZeSMN. He adapts to any situation.
Hist stint as Special Adviser to the President of the Nigerian Senate, Sen. David Mark brought innovation to the office. In fact, a little bird once told me that Sen. Mark had to describe the Alagos as very creative, hardworking, and importantly morally sound haven worked with Late Sen Emmanuel Okpede and Mike Omeri.
Dr Omeri will go to any reasonable length to help a cause, to help you get appointed to exulted positions but he can hardly lift a hand if it concerns his person, where he is considered for a position. He is so selfless to a fault.
With Dr. Omeri, there is no inactivity thus his impatience for laziness.
Though a Mentor and Boss, Omeri and I will discuss on issues and he accepts my opinion if I have a superior argument, he is that cerebral.
On his 56th birthday, it is my prayer that Allah continues to bless him always.
HBD sir.