12/10/2019
CP GARBA UMAR: OBIANOāS OVATION AND THE ANAMBRA ATTESTATIONS.
An Alumnus of FCE Kano.
By Bala Ibrahim.
The zealous, zestful czar of the Interpol, CP Garba Baba Umar, was on Friday, October 11, honored by Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state, to the prolonged applause and standing ovation of the audience, who remained clapping on their feet, long after the presention, in appreciation of their former CP and holder of the traditional titles of Agunnachamba1 and Agujebe1 of Umunya.
The state of Anambra was agog yesterday, when the Governor donated vehicles, motorbikes and modern security gadgets to security agencies in Awka, as part of the second phase of the Smart City Project, known as Operation āKpochapuā (Operation Wipe Out Crime). The Governor also used the occasion to honor those who deserved honor, amongst whom was CP Garba Baba Umar.
In giving the award, Governor Willie Obiano said, himself and the people of Anambra, were compulsorily compelled to honor Garba Umar, because he is an intellectual and a dedicated officer to work with. Iam sure Obiano, having worked with Umar as a CP of the state, must have seen that the officer is equally a mobile reservoir of knowledge in modern technology, a crude source of security solutions and a reliable think tank without leakages.
CP Garba Umar couldnāt wait to receive the award in person, because he was destined for another assignment in the southern American city of Chile, so he had to cut short the Anambra visit and rushed to the airport.
The state would have for the first time, the super smart closed-circuit cameras (CCTVs) in three of its cities, namely, Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha. Thanks to the Governorās vision, in deciding to fight crime with the latest technology anywhere in the world. The occasion was graced in person, by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu Abubakar, who in his magnanimity and wisdom, chose to go with CP Garba Umar, who although presently serving as the CP Interpol, was in the state at the time of conception and incubation of the project, an idea which the Governor acknowledged and appreciated publicly.
You may not like him for his bluntness, because he is direct, outspoken and doesnāt shy way when it comes to telling the truth, but you must give him thumps up in the discharge of his duties, because he is a goal getter that is full of courage, and a performer per excellence. Those who donāt know him very well, say he is over ambitious, but that is because they are gauging him from afar, and mistakenly on face value. A close contact with CP Garba or āGarusā as he is fondly called by friends, would reveal a workaholic, extremely energetic, but criminally generous officer, that is soft hearted, dedicatedly and legitimately determined to be successful, in all endeavors. Garus is like garlic, whose smell you may not like, but whose medicinal value you cant resist.
Because of these virtues, he is always ready and able to deal with difficult situations, even if it means going beyond the call of duty. IGP M.D.Abubakar rted, once told me in his presence, that Garba is one police officer I know, that uses his personal funds to fund the police. As for the former IGP Hafiz Ringim rted, Garbaās name is āAttajirin dan sandaā-rich policeman. He is indeed rich and generous to a fault.
All the attestations, commendations and encomiums, are due to his character of selfless service, the culture of giving, resisting corruption and refusing to shortchange colleagues as well as the system, that pays and pave his way to stardom.
Congratulations Sarkin Yaki!. May Allah help you and the other dedicated officers of the Force, to take Nigeria to the dream land. Ameeen.