By Nuru Shehu Jos
Dateline: Abuja, August 10, 2022.It was an atmosphere of conviviality, hands-pumping. joyful banters and expression of gratitude to the Almighty, in the Wadata House, National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abuja when its Deputy National Chairman (North), Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum added another year to his age.
Party leaders and staff of the Secretariat had warm sentiments to say about the birthday ‘Boy’, saying “he’s a good leader who paves the way for others to follow through exemplary leadership”.
According to his personal assistant and celebrated blogger, Nuru Shehu Jos, the “Ambassador is an embodiment of transparent leadership, hardwork and a shining light in progress of the Party and indeed, humanity”
“Today, I’m wishing the very happiest of birthdays to my Boss Amb Umar Iliya, whose leadership is truly invaluable to me. From my point of view, you are not just a leader, you are a true source of inspiration and a guiding light like no other. I am very lucky to have as a Boss, a leading presence like you to follow”, said Nuru Jos.
Ambassador Damagum has become a rallying point for party unity and loyalty. It will be recalled that recently, that in order to avoid a leadership vacuum in Party, the PDP Chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu had before travelling out for a brief vacation, handed over the administrative reins of the party to Deputy National Chairman (North), Ambassador Umar Damagum. It was an unprecedented move that singled him out as a trust-worthy leader and committed party member.
On his return today, Dr. Ayu rightly applauded him in the seamless manner that he ran the party during his brief absence.
Ambassaor Umar Iliya Damagum is a dynamic administrator with experience in board politics spanning a period of 15 years at Goldlink Insurance Plc, Abuja Investment Company Limited, Yobe State Investment and Yobe State Housing Corporation.
Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum obtained a Master’s in Business Administration in 2004. He also obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Education (Economics) at the University of Maiduguri in the year 1996 and 1988 respectively. He attended several courses, seminars, conferences and workshops in Banking, Economy, Diplomacy and Public-Sector Administration. He was further awarded Honorary Diplomas and Certificate by the Governing Board of Adiri, Bucharest- Romania, Iulian Antonescu Museum (Bacau-Romania) and The Family International (Timisoara-Romania).
He was a Council Member of Nigerian Shippers Council from 2002 to 2004 and National Health Insurance Scheme 2012 to 2015. He was the Managing Director/Chairman of Family Investment Nigeria Limited. He was the Nigerian Ambassador to Romania between 2004 to 2007 and currently appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and also, a national working committee member of the PDP.
Nuru Shehu Jos is Personal Assistant to the PDP Deputy National Chairman (North).