The name is Umar; Bashir Umar. Sounds like just another name from the northern demography. The proper designation (as at June 2019) however was AirCraftsman (ACM) Bashir Umar. But this designation in the Nigerian Air force can no longer be applicable to the gentleman officer as at the time of writing this article, rather it is Corporal Bashir Umar. Let me put this in perspective; averagely, it will take about 10 years for an Aircraftsman to attain the rank of a Corporal in the Nigerian Airforce. Sounds like a quantum leap in promotion and rank? Absolutely! Bashir Umar has had about ten years compressed into months to move from the rank of an Aircraftsman to a Corporal. No lobbying, no bias, no cutting corners, nothing at all…except an act of sheer heroism, demonstrated in an unparalleled show of integrity, a worthy-to-be-glorified sense of selflessness and a display of impeccability of character.
Bashir Umar: July the Seventh!
The date, 7th July is no public holiday for Nigeria, nor a festival or day of celebration; nothing spectacular, unique or outstanding. That is on one end. On the other end, the day 7th July 2019 is one day that the glitters of hope and a shimmering reflected light shone in our hearts. It is a reminder that Nigeria still has a lot of good men walking the streets, in private and public practice, in the military and the civil service. A category to which Bashir Umar belongs.
On the 7th of July 2019, Bashir Umar, while performing and discharging his routine duties, found Thirty-Seven Thousand Euros (€37,000) at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. Doubtless, Umar had two options; one of which is mundane and pale in contrast to the glory and vast array of options and opportunities the other option offers. The first was to return the money; an amount that is usually a once in a lifetime occurrence for the average Nigerian to possess. The second is to of course; ‘lock-up’ and walk away, then ‘start flexing’ and possible, find an investment that will forever ‘change’ his life. But Umar chose the path that is less travelled; the path of integrity, the true spirit of honesty, a pure show of uprightness in character and morality. Umar returned the 37,000 Euros to the owner in Kano.
Bashir Umar: Great, Greater…and Still Rising!
Born on the 1st of June 1995 into the family of Mallam Bashir Abdulmumuni and Salamatu Aliyu in Maiha L.G.A. of Adamawa state, Bashir Umar was enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force on 1st August, 2016 after Basic Military Training at the Military Training Centre, Kaduna. Bashir has been serving with National Air Defence Corps (NADC), Ikeja, Lagos and attached to Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport as part of the Mobile Air Defence Team and tasked with airfield protection.
In three years, he has seen another ten years compressed on his behalf by his utter demonstration of integrity. His action demanded the attention of the rank and file of the Nigerian Air force, as well as the international community. The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar while commenting on Bashir Umar stated, “I am proud to say that we have found in ACM Bashir the rare qualities we stand for in the Nigerian Air Force.” As a reward for his actions, Bashir Umar was doubly promoted; riding for the rank of Aircraftsman to the rank of Corporal. In addition, He also received a letter of commendation from the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja, during a special decoration ceremony.
The decoration ceremony was an injunction by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal SB Abubakar, who ordered that processes be undertaken:
To immediately come up with modalities to reward the airman so as to encourage other personnel of the Service to continue to embody attitudes and behaviours that reflect NAF’s core values of Integrity, Excellence and Service Delivery.
On Thursday, July 25, the Chief of Air Staff delivered the said reward for Bashir’s integrity and for giving the Force a good name with his actions.
Bashir Umar, what more can be said? Action speaks louder than words. His actions spoke louder than words! An example for us all. Proof to us all. A witness in us all!
Sources:
Africa news
All Africa
Featured Image Source: Daily Post NG