Celebrating a Distinguished Public Servant: A Tribute to Barrister Malam Fannami mni, by Prof Usman Tar
On 28 January 2025, Barrister Malam Fannami mni bowed out of the Borno State Civil Service after 35 years of illustrious and prestigious service to his home state and, by logical extension, the Nigerian state.
A Civil Servant with Distinction
Barrister Malam Fannami mni – or, “Ya Mallam Fannami” as he is popularly called by younger fellows and mentees – has a number of distinguished accolades under his belt. He is one of the longest serving Permanent Secretaries in Borno State; one of few permanent Secretaries who headed the civil service of his state; a qualified lawyer and a member of the National Institute (mni).
Above all, Barrister Fannami has the honour to have served at close quarters with countless military administrators and civil governors of Borno State. He served in several ministries, departments and agencies in Borno State with zero-blemish. He also performed several routine and ad hoc responsibilities with a spectacular success. He grew through the ranks to the enviable peak rank of permanent secretary and eventually the head of service – an honour that he has never taken for granted.
A Head of Service with Distinction
As the Head of Service, Barrister Fannami has worked assiduously to transform the Borno State bureaucracy. He introduced and institutionalized new ways of managing the service. First, he nurtured and sustained a cordial and constructive relationship within the service, and between bureaucrats and other arms and branches of the government. In doing so, he aligned the civil service with the laudable vision and programmes of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum. In fact, he made sure that civil servants performed their duties with more zeal, enthusiasm and dedication, and in a manner that was consistent with the projection, plan and strategy of the government.
Secondly, Barrister Fannami stabilised the civil service through regular staff (re)training, incentivisation, promotion and adherence to disciplinary measures where necessary. He elevated merit and strict adherence to civil service rules as the cornerstone of bureaucratic governance. He injected a new oxygen into the service, such that every civil servant across the board was remotely wired to put in their best professionally, ethically and assiduously, hoping that they will be rewarded for their duty.
Thirdly, Barrister Fannami used his legal and professional qualities to ensure that civil servants were rule-abiding, and they were treated with respect and decorum leading to several milestones – such as the implementation of minimum wage, timely and regular promotion exercises, payment of the backlog of pension and gratuities of civil servants, and industrial harmony. Special packagesy and palliatives were extended to both the top echelon of the service and professionals-at-risk: such as teachers, fire workers, disabled workers and subaltern/junior staff within the service.
Fourthly, Barrister Fannami led by example, adhered to rules being a lawyer, and aligned with global best practices (as enshrined in the concept of total quality management). His incorruptible, jovial, firm and dynamic leadership radiated in the attitude of his subordinates and fellow civil servants.
READ ALSO: A tribute to my sister, my “Little mum by Folu Olamiti FNGE
Beyond Service Record: Personal Attributes
Beyond his service record, which has been proven beyond any reasonable doubt, it is imperative to focus on Barrister Fannami’s “personal attributes” – which are the individual characteristics and idiosyncracies that differentiate leaders. I make it bold to observe that personal attributes (often depicted as desired qualities for fresh employees in employment forms) is the magic wand that defines the success of a leader. Otherwise, how could you explain two leaders who led the same organisation with the same set of subordinates, and guided by the same sets of principles and rules, achieve different results?
So, what are the personal attributes of Mallam Fannami that made him stand as Head of Service of Borno State? First, Barrister Malam Fannami mni exuded a stellar work ethics. He demonstrated a morbid penchant for punctuality, timeliness, teamwork, consultation, competence, inclusiveness, fairness and equal treatment, and zero tolerance and aversion against wrong doing. He was pleasant to those who played by the rules, and ruthless with those who sought to cut corners.
Secondly, Barrister Fannami is extremely humble, simple and respectful. He is unassuming, quiet, jovial and humorous. Anyone who comes to his office, even with a naughty complaint or seemingly unsolvable problem will leave with a smiley face. He chooses his words carefully, both verbally and in writing, and his legal training guided his official conduct and human interactions.
Thirdly, Barrister Malam Fannami is extremely brilliant and smart. He is brilliant by virtue of the quality and depth of his written outputs, verbal expressions, institutional memory, attention to details – especially legal implications – and deep consciousness of public service. He is smart in terms of his judgement, circumspection, system thinking, and critical thinking, all of which radiated in his work.
Fourthly, Barrister Fannami has a pristine moral character and an uncommon charisma. He often says he is a “village boy” from Mobbar Local Government, but it appears his rural antecedents may have shaped his outlook and predisposition. Barrister Fannami is the son of an Islamic cleric, and has a fair knowledge of the Quran and Islamic fundamentals. He is a textbook sample of a devout Muslim, a patriotic citizen of the Federal Republic and a devoted family man. He grew up at Damasak where the “River Ali Shuwur” serves as a reference point for a serene community where nature meets humanity, where children play and grow in an organic setting that was undiluted by the negative influences of urbanity and modernisation.
Fifthly, Barrister Fannami is highly networked and versatile. His attendance of the Nigerian Law school Lagos and National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) at Kuru, Plateau State enable him to forge lifelong ties with Nigerians from all over the country, and intermingle with professionals from all walks of life. In particular, at the National Institute, Barrister Fannami was part of local, regional and global study tours that bolstered, shaped and expanded his outlook, and afforded him the luxury to appreciate work and life beyond the confines of locality and naivety.
Finally, Barrister Fannami is a family man, a community leader and an active participant in his neighbourhood affairs. He is a key stakeholder in the affairs of his native Mobbar Local Government Area and a shining star in his residential community in Maiduguri. As a father and guardian to several persons under his care, he has managed his extended family and acquaintances with the wisdom and patience of pious men of the yore.
Retirement & Beyond: Reflecting, Rebooting
Barrister Malam Fannami may have statutorily retired, but he remains healthy, alive and kicking. He may take a few months to rest and reflect on life and work, before bouncing back to the next stage of his post-retirement life. As he reflects, he will most likely appreciate the challenging and rosy moments of life; the dynamism of the human universe; and the overarching power of God. May Allah grant him long and happy life to relish the fruits of his labour.
Prof Tar is the commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Borno State.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
