Hajia Lami Tumaka: Celebrating an Extraordinary Professional
By Francis Ugwoke
In the past few months, Hajia Lami Tumaka, has been in the news. It was between November and December last year that news went round about her retirement early this year. Tumaka was a Director, External Relations of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). To every journalist, that a senior public official is retiring from office should not be newsworthy or a big deal, but in the case of Tumaka, it was an exceptional case. She is a lady who has endeared the heart of so many in the maritime industry. And this cuts across gender, profession, ethnicity and social class. Tumaka is hardworking, kind, receptive and honest. For every journalist that had met her, she maintained an open door and always ready to provide answers to questions.
Tumaka who was born in January 14, 1960, retired at the age of 60. She graduated from the Ahmadu Bello Univerity, Zaria, in 1979 with Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. She also holds Masters in Business Administration from the same University. Tumaka started her first job after the mandatory National Youth service Corps with Army Day Secondary School, Jaji from where she joined the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). She was also the Public Relations Manager of Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) Limited. She later joined NIMASA 22 years ago. She is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration Nigeria (CIOTA), as well as member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), among others.
Tumaka’s way of life for the period she worked in NIMASA is one that inspires many. Everyone has one testimony or the other to give about her. This explains why industry stakeholders gathered in Victoria Island on Friday night to honour her in a send forth dinner party held at Harbour Point. The event held on Valentine Day, February 14, apparently deliberate to show the love that stakeholders have for her. Top personalities in the industry and across attended the event. She was the darling of all, including maritime journalists who were part of the Friday event. Among those who attended the occasion was the Director General of NIMASA, Dr, Dakuku Peterside, Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Usman, former Director General of NIMASA, Barr Temisan Omatseye, former Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Engr Ernest Ndukwe and President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Iju Tony Nwabunike. Dakuku was the Special Guest at the event while Ms Usman was the Chairman of the occasion. The wife of the late Marafan Sokoto, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi was the Mother of the Day. Others who were in attendance and played prominent roles in the event organised by friends under the leadership of Dr. Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi were the Executive Vice Chairman of ENL Consortium (Terminal Operator) and Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrop, Chairman of Ship-Owners Forum, Barr. (Mrs) Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi . The list is endless and all paid a glowing tribute.
Speaking about Tumaka, the DG described her as a good woman who taught him invaluable lessons in life and inspired him to give every person a chance. Describing her as someone who is intellectually deep, kind, determined and excellent, Dakuku added that for Hajia, public relations is not just a professional area but natural flair and a passion. “She breathes and lives public relations, her intellectual depth is outstanding and the fact that she has friends across the length and breadth of Nigeria made a lot of persons uncomfortable. By reason of performance, she became both Dakuku and DG’s friend and the dynamics changed. Describing her as trustworthy, loyal and respectful, Dakuku also said Hajia is a friend of both young and old, a cosmopolitan outlook of life and a great asset to her friends”.
He equally described Hajia as one who demonstrated selflessness and championed the course of others who unknown to her were running her down before the leadership of the agency. Dakuku did not call names, but the message was very clear.
NPA’s MD, Usman, in her tribute said that the fact that so many people speak good of Tumaka was a good testimony of the investment she has made while in NIMASA and the nation’s maritime industry.
President of ANLCA, Nwabunike also described Tumaka as a woman of virtue, a true and thorough professional worthy of emulation. According to the ANLCA President, Tumaka gave her best for the industry while in service, adding that this explained why many stakeholders responded to honour her last weekend. Nwabunike said the honour bestowed on Tumaka after her service in NIMASA was a lesson for many others in government employment to be good while in office. He said Tumaka maintained an open door policy through which anyone who had issues to clear had access to her. Former Presidents of Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), Elder Asu Beks and Mr Ray Ugochukwu also said the celebration of Tumaka after retirement from NIMASA should be seen as a big lesson for others in government appointment. To both Beks and Ugochukwu, the best legacy to leave behind after a meritorious service to one’s fatherland is a good name.
Also speaking about Tumaka, the former President of ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu said, “every encounter with Hajia Tumaka is like a breath of fresh air, Whatever is your objective, she leaves you feeling accomplished even if your inquiries may not have been addressed. Her open doors, charming smile and easy-going disposition are attributes that endeared her to the reportorial corps”.
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