By : Africa News Nation Reports, Abuja, Nigeria.
Friends of Africa and Nigeria for Good Governance (FOAN) has joined associates, mentees, and well-wishers across the country to celebrate Hon. Isa Omade on his birthday, describing him as a transformative leader, mentor, and nation builder whose influence spans public service, youth development, and governance.
In a birthday message released on Thursday, January 1, 2026 , the group praised Omade’s enduring commitment to empowering young people and nurturing leadership rooted in service and integrity.
One of the most compelling reflections came from Goodluck Emmanuel Adubazi, a journalist and longtime mentee, who recounted an encounter from 18 years ago that he described as life-defining.
A Moment That Changed a Life
Eighteen years ago, Adubazi, then a 24-year-old fresh graduate from Upake village, was introduced to Omade, who at the time was a young bank manager at the early stage of his professional career.
According to Adubazi, the meeting was brief but unforgettable.
“He looked at me and said, ‘You are a promising child,’” Adubazi recalled.
The following Monday marked the beginning of a dramatic transformation. Adubazi arrived at work to find original neckties and a newly tailored suit, ordered from Chuks Boutique, one of the bank’s customers at the time.
“I looked at myself and realized that a village boy had become a banker,” he said.
Despite having no prior banking experience, Omade offered him immediate employment as an Office Assistant. Over time, Adubazi rose through the ranks, becoming a full bank staff and later a Relationship Manager in the same institution.
Mentorship Beyond Banking
Colleagues and associates describe Omade as deeply passionate about human development, a trait reflected in his long-standing mentorship of young professionals. That mentorship, Adubazi said, extended far beyond the banking sector.
With Omade’s support, he later worked at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Emergency Communication Centre, where he progressed from entry level to Supervisor. He eventually transitioned into journalism, a profession he continues to practice today.
The opportunities created through this mentorship, Adubazi noted, also helped him educate his siblings and opened doors across multiple sectors—creating ripple effects beyond one individual.
Today, the once-uncertain 24-year-old has become a professional whose work has touched many lives, crediting his journey to consistency, guidance, and belief from a man he now calls a father figure.
Birthday Tributes Pour In
In his birthday message, Adubazi described Hon. Omade as “my boss, my principal, my father figure, and my guide.”
“As you mark your birthday today,” he said, “may the good you have done continue to speak for you. Posterity will be kind to you, and you will be celebrated at 80, 90, and 100 years, God willing. As your days are, so shall your strength be.”
Similarly, Joseph Uchenyo Johnson, President of Friends of Africa and Nigeria for Good Governance, described Omade as a leader whose impact transcends material success.
“True leadership is not measured by the amount of wealth we accumulate, but by what we stand for and the positive impact we have on our followers,” Johnson said.
“Happy birthday to an amazing leader and father. Wishing you a day as awesome as you are.”
As Hon. Isa Omade marks another year, tributes from across sectors paint a picture of a leader whose legacy is defined not only by positions held, but by lives changed.
“Happy 56th Birthday to you, workaholic DG, ICC, the Kogi APC Chieftain, May you experience continuous Advancement in all your endeavors this year 2026 and Beyond!
