Saturday July 3, 2021 was the day TPL Musa A Usman (Mai Jigida) got noticed for his leadership and mentorship efforts as he was recognised by the Africa Institute of Public Administration (AIPA), Accra, Ghana under the aegis of a bilateral agreement with the London Bridge Business School (LBBS) and the Northeastern University both in the UK.
Mai Jigida was conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Public Administration and Business Administration alongside others, notably Hamza Al- Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, Gen Sani Abacha; Chief Judge of Ekiti state, Ayodeji Daramola Simeon and a professor of Law and public affairs analyst, Umar Mai Nasara Kogo.
Mai Jigida is the founder/ CEO of Mai Jigida Youths Development Foundation (MYDF), a vehicle through which he carries out his humanitarian activities for the good of society.
The investiture was of the 8th class of the Transformational and Leadership Masterclass, themed, ‘A Continent Wide Signature Quick Intervention Strategy Developed’ by AIPA and LBBS.
In his speech, AIPA governing council chairman, Dr Ben Nwankwo noted that, “As the awardees, you were so chosen after you have passed through a learning journey that sensitised you along critical dimensions of leadership, governance, strategy, innovation, human resource management, etc.
“We are admitting you into the fellowship of Africa’s premier and apex professional institute in the education and practice of Public Administration as the 8th class.
“Our learning partners have graciously consented to further admit few of the members of the class who have track records of service, achievements and moral rectitude into the Honourary Degree of Doctor of Public Administration and Business Administration to strengthen your spark in government, society or business.
“By virtue of your fellowship induction and other investitures, you have become an alumni of the institute as our role models and ambassadors,” Nwankwo further added.
Noted for his humanitarian and selfless service rather than his personality, Mai Jigida is reputed for helping out indigent children with school fees, under-privileged graduates with employment opportunities and widows with seed capital for business and/or vocation.
His character/traits
Generally described as unassuming, many have confessed to the fact that Mai Jigida’s reputation precedes him as his physical appearance hardly gives him away.
Commenting on the recognition, the honouree who does not get bored at regaling his audience with his modest background and how he has ultimately been favoured in life by God, however noted that, “I am yet to come to terms with the reason behind this recognition.”
In his characteristic approach to life, Mai Jigida does not believe that the society owes him any favour for doing what he refers to as giving back to the society which he said has been nothing but generous to him.
He sees the act of intervening in the needs of the indigents, widows and the less-privileged in the society as a duty upon him and others in his shoes. He declared that, “Those of us whose palm kernel has been cracked by God should not take the favour for granted.”
His life/working career
After a meritorious stint in the civil service of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) spanning 35 years, Dr TPL Musa Usman is also now the director general/CEO of Jagaban Borgu Movement (JBM).
Usman, an astute town planner, who has proved his mettle in his chosen profession and the civil service, retired as a deputy director.
His preparation for management and leadership position started early in his career as he was exposed to almost all the most important experiences that any career civil servant could ever hope to gain.
As a go-getter, Usman started handling serious and sensitive assignments at the point that many may consider a learning stage. He was appointed personal assistant (PA) to late Gen Mamman Vatsa as minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to oversee the minster’s official residence, particularly the general maintenance and renovation of the residence between 1994-1997.
After his sterling performance at the minister’s residence, Usman was redeployed to the Department of Planning and Survey where he served as district officer between 1997 and 1999.
Between 1999 and 2000, he was again deemed worthy of working closely with another former FCT minister, late Gen Mamman Tsoho Kotangora as personal assistant on land matters.
After a year in that position, he was again appointed the personal assistant on land matters to the director of lands in the ministry, Alhaji Muhammad S U Kalgo between 2000 and 2005.
He later became the zonal manager in charge of Abaji Area Council of the FCT between 2005 and 2007 and later as unit head, Department of Urban and Regional Planning between 2007 and 2013.
TPL Usman joined the enviable directorate cadre in 2013 when he got promoted to the position of an assistant director, Urban and Regional Planning, deputy director and full divisional head, Urban and Regional Planning in 2017.
A consummate administrator, TPL Usman attended many strategic professional and leadership trainings both within and outside the country that prepared him for the roles he played in the building of the Federal Capital City now the pride of all Nigerians and even foreigners alike.
He attended a total of 16 professional courses, trainings and workshops, including the mandatory continuing professional programmes in 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005 and 2002 all organised by the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC).
He also attended the ‘Building Clean Cities in Nigeria’ programme in 2014 organised by TOPREC, Procurement Evaluation for the Staff of the FCDA organised by the Procurement Monitoring and Services LTD in 2011 and Advanced Personnel and Human Resource Management in 2009 Course by the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON).
In between 2007, 2008 and 2009, TPL Usman attended courses that certified him as one of the leading Nigerians in leadership and project management cadre.
In 2009, he attended procurement/ project management course in organised by the Centre for Management Development (CMD).
In 2008, he attended the Due Process Procurement Mechanism course by the Procurement Monitoring and Services LTD (Abuja) and Leadership Team Working, Communication and Presentation course organised by Leading Edge Management Services in Accra, Ghana.
In 2007, he participated in the Interactive Management Skills Course organised by the Management and Financial Consultant (Abuja).
Usman is a member of many professional bodies including Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC); Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP); Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) and Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), among others.
He holds a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Benue state University, Makurdi.
Adamu wrote in from Keffi, Nasarawa state.
