Major-General Paul Omu: A life of unwavering service to Nigeria

The life of the former military governor of old Southeastern State, comprising the present Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, the late Major- General Paul Ufuoma Omu, has been celebrated as one marked by unwavering commitment to the service of Nigeria and his community.  The 84-year-old Isoko, Delta State-born General came to office at a […]

The life of the former military governor of old Southeastern State, comprising the present Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, the late Major- General Paul Ufuoma Omu, has been celebrated as one marked by unwavering commitment to the service of Nigeria and his community. 

The 84-year-old Isoko, Delta State-born General came to office at a time of great difficulty during the military regimes in Nigeria.

According to a family statement signed by Oghenekome Ufuoma Omu, General Omu “was a family man, patriot, statesman, soldier and community leader.”

He was also described as a distinguished career military officer who rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Army, serving with honour and distinction.

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“He held various strategic command and administrative positions, including serving as a military governor of the Southeastern State, which included the present Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, from July 1975 to July 1978. He initiated and implemented critical infrastructural and policy reforms during his tenure that laid the foundation for the region’s growth,” the statement read.

In 1985, General Omu was appointed the commander of the Command and Staff College and a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council, the highest military ruling body in Nigeria. 

In the political landscape, General Omu played a key role in Nigeria’s transition to democracy. He was appointed the chairman of the Constitutional Conference Commission in 1994, helping shape the constitutional discourse that would influence Nigeria’s return to civil rule. His leadership, insight and patriotism earned him national respect and admiration.

“In September 2009, former President Umaru Musa Yar’adua appointed General Omu as the chairman of the 10-member Governing Board of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS),” the statement added.

Born in July 1940, Omu joined the army on December 10, 1962, the same time as his course mates like General Ibrahim Babangida, Sani Bello and Garba Duba at the Nigerian Military Training College. He was also at the Mons Officer Cadet School, Aldershot in the United Kingdom and was commissioned as an officer on July 25, 1963. He was the commander of the 33rd Infantry Brigade until July 1975 when he was appointed a military governor by the General Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo military regime.

After his retirement in 1990, he was elected as the president of the Isoko Development Union from 2014 to 2015, where he championed unity, education and economic advancement, leaving behind a legacy of community empowerment and inclusive development.

In his reaction, the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Almustapha H. Jokolo, described Omu’s death as a great loss, adding, “He was my 33 Infantry Brigade commander in 1974. He was very knowledgeable, just, humble, detribalised, charismatic, honest, intelligent, caring, kind, compassionate, courageous and a poetic leader.

 “He became the military governor of the Southeastern State in August 1976 during the Murtala/Obasanjo regime. He was also the commandant of the Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna and a member of the Supreme Military Council in 1984 during the Buhari/Idiagbon regime.

“His wife is an epitome of decency. I think she was a senior Prison officer. She never showed off as the wife of the brigade commander or a very senior military officer. 

“We mourn the passing away of our very dear Major-General Paul Ufuoma Omu. We condole with his family and all who served with him. It was indeed a rare privilege and honour to serve with the late General. May his soul rest in peace, amen.”

Similarly, a member of the late Tony Uranta People, Major William Effiong, shared his grief over the loss, saying General Omu was a gentleman whom he served as ADC.

“Words fail me on what to say here. We all know what stuff the late General was made of. I served him as the ADC during his sojourn as the military governor of the then Southeastern State and later, Cross River State. I have no cause to regret that appointment with him,” he said.

He is survived by his wife, Senator Stella Omu and blessed with six children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.