Re-Musa Umar Yashi: Debunking the Tissues of Lies and Pitiable Innuendoes of Sanusi Muhammad – Oyakhamoh Y. Carl-Abu’Bakar

PEGASUS REPORTERS, LAGOS | SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

On 24th February 2024, an article by a certain “Sanusi Muhammad” captioned “Group calls for sack of Musa Umar Yashi from NEDC” in which one “Muhammed Chinade” as the “Group’s Spokesman” was said to have issued a press statement on the matter surfaced online.

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Knowing the calibre and person of Malam Musa Umar Yashi, we decided to engage him in an interview to respond to the allegations against him in the said article. Instead, Malam Yashi simply told us that as a retired civil servant and currently a public servant, he would not grant any interview on such issues, rather, referred us to go through the archives where his services in government are documented. However, since according to him, his personal integrity in Public Service forty (40) years to the day is now questioned, we decided to dig further in response to this allegation.

Firstly, with regard to his present appointment, Malam Musa Umar Yashi’s nomination for the appointment is the prerogative of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and Mallam Yashi has nothing to add on that.

*Mallam Umar Musa Yashi

Secondly, on the call for his “immediate replacement for better representation devoid of parochial sentiments and high-handedness”, it appears to me that Muhammed Chinade and his paymasters are mistaking Mallam Yashi for another person. I come to this conclusion because our search shows that from the (Old) Bauchi State Civil Service to the Federal Civil Service and now as a Political Appointee, Malam Musa Umar Yashi was never for once high-handed on any Staff, persons or groups in the performance of his duties and to buttress this, we are challenging Muhammed Chinade and his group to conduct a survey on all the Staff of NEDC, and will be shocked that 80% would be solidly in favour of Malam Yashi, even as his strict disciplinary commitment to official routine is what all the staff cherish most in him as a role model. From our review on his past and present, there’s no doubt that Malam Yashi is a very fearless person and readily challenges the powers that be when things are done wrongly in public service; e.g. non-adherence to Public Service Rules/Regulations, brigandage, recklessness, nepotism, lawlessness, wickedness, abuse of office etc. This has been his attitude even when dealing with superior officers since he joined the Civil Service in 1984 up till this moment which he also does in the NEDC.

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It is also on record that when others quivered with fear, Malam Musa Umar Yashi as a Civil Servant, not only dared and spoke the truth to two “Military Governors” that served in Bauchi State severally, but also challenged the Federal Civil Service Commission itself and prevailed by the Special Grace of The Almighty God.

Our research into his service record debunked the hackney assertion of “parochial sentiment”, by the paid writers whose interest is couched on soiling the image of a dedicated worker in their desperation. We surprisingly observed that Malam Yashi does not have a single “God Father” in the whole of Bauchi State but was able to make it to the present position by dint of hard work, courage and patriotism.

Therefore, we published an abridged curriculum vitae of Malam Musa Umar Yashi for public review here-under:

Musa Umar Yashi was born in Yashi, Alkaleri LGA, Bauchi State on 1st January 1957. He attended Gar, Duguri, Mun/Juwara, Kirfi/Cheledi and Darazo Primary Schools, Bauchi State. He proceeded to Government Secondary School Darazo, Bauchi State. He was admitted to the Bauchi College of Arts and Science, Bauchi. He then gained admission into the University of Sokoto, Sokoto, Nigeria to study Political Science.

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Malam Yashi did a course in MPA at ABU, Zaria. He obtained a Budget Management Fellowship Certificate and another Certificate in Security Management. He also obtained a Certificate in Directorate Cadre Re-orientation (OHCSF). He attended a National Workshop on Contract Tendering Process (Due Process). He also attended Educational Planning and Management in A World with AIDS Course, Accra, Ghana. He attended SKSDA, Civil Service College, Singapore. He then obtained a Certificate in “Dealing With The Past”, Switzerland.

Throughout his school days, Malam Yashi nicknamed “Okonkwo” was a leader and prominent sportsman. He was Assistant Head-Boy and Football Captain, Central Primary School, Darazo (1972), Deputy Headboy, Volleyball Captain and President of Current Affairs Society, Government Secondary School Darazo (1974-77). The First Bauchi State Intermediate Volleyball Captain to the Third National Sports Festival, Kaduna”77”, Malam Yashi was invited to the National Camp (Volleyball) thereafter. Malam Yashi was also Volleyball Captain and Sports Committee Member of the Bauchi College of Arts and Science (1977-79). A well-known University of Sokoto (now Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto) Student Union Activist as well as Volleyball Captain (1979-82). In the 1979/80 Academic Session, Malam Yashi was the Branch President (UNISOK) and also the National Diplomatic Adviser 1 of the National Union of Bauchi State Students and was elected National President of the Union (NUBASS) in the 1980/81 Academic Session.

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After the NYSC in 1983, Mal. Yashi was self-employed and actively engaged in politics, but soon decided to join the Civil Service as a career. In 1984, he was appointed Administrative Officer, Bauchi State Civil Service. He worked as the Bauchi State Government Liaison Officer in Lagos and was commended by the Military Governor in 1988. Malam Yashi transferred to the Federal Civil Service (Presidency) as Assistant Director, Office of the President, Dodan Barracks in 1990. He was thereafter Assistant Director (Supplies), General Services Office, The Presidency. He was also Deputy Director (Public Agencies and International Affairs) Political Affairs Office, The Presidency and then Deputy Director (Public Affairs) Political Affairs Office, The Presidency.

In 1991, Malam Yashi served as Secretary, Abia/Imo States White Paper Committee on Assets Sharing. He was Deputy Secretary of the National Committee of Traditional Rulers and Leaders of Thought and also Secretary, Sub-Committee on University Crisis (1996). He was then posted as Ag. Director/Secretary, National Commission for Refugees (1996-1999), after which, he served as Ag. Director, Economic Affairs Office and Ag. Director (Special Duties) (OSGF) (1999-2000). After 10 years in the Presidency, Malam Yashi was posted to the Federal Ministry of Power and Steel as Deputy Director (Supplies), where he also acted severally as Director (Finance and Supplies) (2000-2002).

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*Mallam Umar Musa Yashi with the-late-deputy-governor, Alhaji Adamu Tafawa Balewa

Malam Yashi was in 2002 promoted Director (Administration) with effect from 1st January, 1999 and served in the following MDAs as well as Overseeing the Offices of the Permanent Secretary severally, viz; Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (2002-2003), pioneer Director (Administration and Supplies) Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (2003-2007), Director (Administration and Supplies) Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (2007-2008), Director (Planning, Research and Statistics) Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (2008-2009) and Director (Policy, Planning, Management and Research) Federal Ministry of Education, until his retirement in line with the then Tenure Policy of the Federal Government on 1st January, 2010.

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*Mallam Umar Musa Yashi with the-late-deputy-governor, Alhaji Adamu Tafawa Balewa

After his retirement, Malam Yashi was appointed Senior Special Assistant and Chief of Staff to the Honourable Minister, FCT at different times between April 2010 and July 2012. He resigned as Chief of Staff on personal grounds on 2nd July, 2012 and remained the Small Farmer that he had always been until his appointment as Executive Director (Humanitarian Affairs), NEDC in May, 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. In May 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari, (GCFR) reappointed Malam Yashi as Executive Director (Administration and Finance) and in August, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR reappointed Malam Yashi as Executive Director ( Humanitarian Affairs), NEDC. Malam Yashi is a Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria (September 2006).

Mallam Umar Musa Yashi addressing fellow old students after the inauguration

Thirdly, on “Campaign Claims”, Mal. Yashi is not a registered member of any Political Party but has been an ardent Supporter of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) since 2015 and whether he supported the Campaign of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR or not, it is not for any person or group of persons to determine. As close watcher of Mal. Yashi over the years, we therefore, challenged all members and supporters of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, apart from only five (5) personalities whose names we would not mention for now, to come out with details of their personal financial contributions/spendings during the last Presidential and Governorship Elections in the State for comparison with his modest contribution as a Party Supporter.

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* A cross-session of Old Boys in attendance at the occasion

Digging further, we found out that Mal. Yashi, even as a child in primary school, kept record of events relating to him till date, therefore, he is fully ready for the comparison, noting that most of them in this case, shamelessly for pecuniary gains and egocentric tendencies actively participated in the Anti-Party Activities that led to the APC coming second in the Presidential Election and losing the Governorship in the State, a most unfortunate situation indeed! Let it also be clear that Malam Musa Yashi is not new to Bauchi State Politics even as a Youth/Student 44 years ago and after the NYSC in 1983 he was a Registered Member of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) before joining the Civil Service in 1984. By implication, therefore, without sounding immodest, apart from a few remaining “Political Elders/Fathers” in the State, Mal. Yashi had been in active politics long before all the Governors that ruled Bauchi State from 1999 to date.

*A group photograph of Old Boys and guests at the inauguration

Fourthly, on “the required representation and support to Bauchi State”, if Malam Yashi could always ensure justice, fairness and equity for even the other five (5) States of the North East Zone, what reason does anyone have to question his support for his Home-State of Bauchi. The records are thereIs Bauchi State not fully “represented” with regard to NEDC Projects?

*Ongoing-projects

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Fifthly, on “Palliatives Distribution”, our findings revealed that Muhammed Chinade and his paymasters’ tantrums are not only baldadash but a joke taken too far. We have it on record and very glaring too, that in all the Six (6) States of the North East Zone, no state has so far enjoyed a systematic, inclusive and seamless distribution of palliatives from top to bottom like Bauchi State. We therefore, challenged the faceless group to verify or confirm this from the Commission, if they really knew what the work of the Executive Director (Humanitarian Affairs) entails. We are also suggesting that they go through Malam Yashi’s Abridged CV and see where he is coming from on refugees and other humanitarian issues from 1991 to date. In fact, Malam Musa Yashi’s humanitarian and relief work went beyond Nigeria’s borders. For instance, in 1992, “Assistance to Friendly Countries” as part of his schedule, Malam Yashi processed the procurement of large quantities of Assorted Food Items as well as Vehicles and delivered them directly to the President of a Sister African Country at the Presidential Palace for distribution to Indigent Citizens of that Country, while the Vehicles were a support to the Government. Back home again, long before the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was established, Malam Yashi was the Desk Officer on NEMA’s predecessor agency, the National Emergency Relief Agency (NERA) in the Presidency.

We wonder if the faceless group using online smear campaigns against an honest son of Bauchi State has taken the pains to understand what it takes for the Head of State, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to bestow upon a Citizen due Recognition as Humanitarian Person of the Year (2022)

Another very pitiable position taken by the faceless writers is the allegation that Malam Yashi only considered his extended family for token palliatives, while actually, their neighbors in towns and villages routinely get such items. This, from Muhammed Chinade and his sponsors, is indeed the height of wickedness and insensitivity.

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Turning to the issue of “Contracts awarded to fictitious companies, fronts and cronies”, we would be grateful if Chinade and his sponsors will verify from the Commission if Malam Yashi has the authority to award one Kobo contract besides the Commission Tenders Board. This writer wishes to challenge the group through Muhammed Chinade to name those they consider “qualified” to replace Malam Yashi to come clean on their bank accounts and financial sources, as Malam Yashi has only one (1) bank account in the whole of Nigeria and the World by our findings. We therefore, urge Malam Yashi to look into this particular allegation against him, though a cheap blackmail and ensure that he gets to the root of the matter.

Sixthly, on working as Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister and shortly after that appointed Chief of Staff, FCT, Mal. Yashi’s “sack” is the imagination of Muhammed Chinade, his Sponsors and Co-travelers. Mal. Yashi was never found wanting in the discharge of his duties throughout his years in the Civil Service and later as a Political Appointee. Malam Musa Yashi’s resignation as Chief of Staff, FCT on 2nd July, 2012 on personal grounds not only shocked the entire FCT Executive Council, but also the Minister himself, who, till today, does not know why he, Mal. Yashi resigned. The letter below clearly shows that Muhammed Chinade and his Sponsors are nothing but a bunch of crooks, liars, mountebanks, nonentities and deceitful characters parading themselves as nasty political jobbers with absolutely nothing to contribute to the progress and development of Bauchi State. What a society in need of total re-orientation!

*The letter from the FCT

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Seventhly, on “interaction with people” and support to campaign “Support Groups”, notwithstanding his modest assistance so far, we found out that Malam Yashi has resolved to focus on the assignment he is appointed to do rather than the deliberate distraction long after the elections were concluded to date. While nearly all those claiming that Malam Musa Yashi does not give them any attention or listening ears, yes, he does that deliberately since their mission has always been for personal gains and not of any benefit to the larger society. It is on record that even Communities at the local/grassroot levels do write to the Commission detailing their demands for possible intervention and action is usually taken on most of such requests, going forward. But rather than adopting such methods and doing the needful at all times, some people who think they own you and the job you are doing would insist on seeing you in person all the time only to ask for money as if the purpose of you being there is always to give out money whether you have it or not. We further discovered that those who might have been assisted/supported once or so in that regard are the ones going about castigating you if they don’t get such assistance from you anymore.

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It is therefore, noteworthy that anyone who came across Malam Musa Umar Yashi one way or the other would attest to the very fact that this quintessential Civil/Public Servant is indeed the HUMANITARIAN personified.

Oyakhamoh Y. Carl-Abu’Bakar an author, writer, publisher and Media Director, Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) writes from Lagos. It was first published on MARCH 02, 2024