THIS MAN, HON UMAR EMMANUEL

A man of action who recently sent a clear message to criminal elements in the state when he oversaw the demolition of buildings belonging to kidnappers in Yikangbe, a suburb of Minna, the state capital. And this was after the suspects were arrested and sent down to Abuja for further investigation. His unwavering commitment to matters of safety of the state is not unconnected to the fact that he is truly a son of the soil. Born in October 12, 1975, and a native of Shiroro, his training and experience informed the decision of Governor Abu Sani Bello to appoint him to head the Ministry for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security.

Many are unaware that Hon. Emmanuel began his law enforcement career with State Security Service in 1997 as field operative and in 1999 was assigned to the Presidential Protection Unit where he served for eight years and voluntarily retired in 2007 to accept the position of Senior Foreign Service National Investigator at U.S. Embassy Regional Security Office, Abuja where he served for nine years, and in 2016 joined Janus Global Inc. as the Director, Business Development and Corporate Services and later Consultant/ Technical Adviser to the Inspector General of Police.

Before all these, he had obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Abuja, later a Masters in Strategy and Security Administration and a Postgraduate Diploma from Nigeria Defense Academy Kaduna and then a certificate in Strategic Planning for Security and Development from the UK Defense Academy, Cranfield University.

His academic background with his over 21 years experience in Law Enforcement and Security has proven highly useful as, under his stewardship, the Niger State Government harmonized all vigilante groups under a single structure, providing them with a united front to complement the effort of conventional security forces in curbing banditry and general criminality in the state. This was following the signing into law of the State Vigilante Corps by Governor Abu Sani Bello.

As one of them, Hon. Emmanuel has stayed close and has kept agents of the security forces working in the state motivated by ensuring that their needs are met and their advice listened to. This was why Hon. Emmauel last year went as far as spending Christmas with security agents in Erena and other communities of Shiroro LGA, away from his wife and 5 lovely children.

A cultured gentleman with respect for traditions and traditional institutions, he was on ground to ensure a seamless selection of the new Emir of Kontagora Emirate, and presented His Highness, Alh. Mohammed Barau Kontagora with appointment letter. The Commissioner is ever ready to listen to, and expedite on all initiatives that hold the promise of progress of traditional institutions in the state.

Nor is his commitment to the welfare of Local Government officials in doubt. The Ministry works assiduously to ensure that workers are fairly and appropriately compensated in a timely manner. In his own words, “As a ministry, we are doing everything possible to ensure that Local Government staff receive their salaries as at when due.”

Abdullberqy U Ebbo