…NGSA opens Register of Goodwill Messages, Tributes
…”I am thankful to God, Fulfilled,” says Retiring Director, Bature
The 47-seater conference room of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) overflowed with more than 90 well-wishers of various social statuses, some of who squeezed through tight spaces to participate in the sessions of farewell convened by the Agency to honor Mr. Umar Bature, its Retiring Director of Regional Geology, who had served as Acting-Director General of the Agency.
In his opening remarks at the event on Wednesday, May, 14, 2025, Director-General of the Agency, Professor Olusegun Omoniyi Ige described Bature’s life as a lesson in faith and humility for everyone. He posed a rhetorical question, saying, “Who will step into the large shoes of love being left behind by Mr. Umar Bature?”
“I am happy that we are gathered to celebrate Mr. Umar Bature who has dedicated a large part of his life to the service of the nation,” the Director-General said, adding that the retiring director used the last nine months of his stay in the Agency to establish the new management through deploying the enormous goodwill he enjoyed in support of the new team.
“I learnt so much from him,” the Director-General said.
“Naturally, those who wished that you become the Director-General became my well-wishers because they discovered that you welcomed and accepted me wholeheartedly.”
Ige, who was Head, Department of Geology and Mineral Sciences at the University of Ilorin, recalled a related scenario saying: “When I was at the University of Ilorin, there was a casual staff known as Mr. Balogun. He was deeply loved by the people. Then something happened: He was transferred. Both the junior and senior staff rose up to appeal against Balogun’s transfer, but the registrar insisted. So, Balogun had to leave. The interesting thing is that the new casual staff who was posted to replace Balogun became so much of a nice man that some say he is much better than Mr. Balogun.”
Professor Ige discussed the brotherly relationship between him and Mr. Bature. He said: “Naturally Mr. Bature also desired to be Director-General. I called him and congratulated him when he was appointed Acting Director-General, but he said to me, ‘Thank you my dear brother and friend, but it could be you (Ige) that will be appointed as permanent Director-General, and it could be someone else’”.
Discussing the scenario that unfolded, Prof. Ige explained that Bature wholeheartedly welcomed him when he (Ige) was appointed as substantive Director-General of the Agency, saying: “When I was appointed substantive DG, I discovered in Bature that someone who contested to become a king can be a true friend of a king.”
“I was not careful in relating with Mr. Bature because he is a man you can trust.”
“Upon my assumption of duty, as a human being, I may want to entertain fear, but I don’t think I was ever away from office that I will not ask Bature to Act as Director General. Without prejudice to other directors, I have learnt a lot from Mr. Bature, we ran the office together.”
“Let us all take a clue from the lifestyle of Bature. He has sowed good seeds, and that is what he is reaping.”
Dr. Julius Kwache, Deputy Director of Mineral Promotions, NGSA who read Mr. Bature’s citation eulogized him for his regard for all people irrespective of social status. “Mr. Bature gives regard to all staff. He does not discriminate between Chief Geologist, Principal Geologist and the other ranks,” Kwache, noted and recalled that “when Mr. Bature was Head of the NGSA Office in Yola, he united the staff, we all cooked and brought our food to share with him, and we ate and worked together as a team.”
“He is a man who takes interest in the personal progress of every one of his subordinates,” Kwache added, and prided himself as a loyal friend and junior colleague of the retiring director.
Kwache discussed Bature’s prowess as a geologist saying: “As Director of NGSA Department of Economic Geology, the Agency generated so much data, adding that the feat was repeated at the Regional Geology Department when he was deployed to Head the Department.
In addition to being a Fellow of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (fnmgs), Mr. Bature is also a member of other professional associations including the Nigerian Society of Economic Geologists (NSEG), the PanAfrio where he served as fore leader of the team that travelled to many African countries including Angola, Mozambique, Zambia and Morocco.
According to Kwache who read Bature’s citation, the Professional Geologist, Mr. Bature, participated and added value to over twenty-five mineral exploration projects either as team member, leader or supervisor, and was actively involved in British Geological Survey (BGS) Geochemical Mapping in Nigeria. He said Bature was instrumental to production of 30 sheets of 100000 mappings sponsored by the World Bank funded Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification, a project that began in 2023 and ended in 2024.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr. Maryam Ismail congratulated Mr. Bature, and wished him well. The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by Mr. Adamu Ibrahim also conveyed the goodwill of the emirate, saying: “The emirate congratulates you, and we are happy that you will be remembered for many good things.”
Umar Bature’s classmate, Mrs. Grace Okpala who is the Director, National Geosciences Information Centre (NGIC) of the NGSA recalled that Bature continued to serve as Class Representative of the ABU Geology Class of 1989 even after graduation: “We call him ‘Class-Rep-for-Life’ because even after graduation, he did not stop caring for us. He is the one who holds his class together.
He is a jolly good fellow who archives very historic information about the Geology Class of 89. “He keeps our photographs and presents a collection of photographs to any of his classmates who visits the Federal Capital Territory.
Discussing Bature’s virtue of chastity and respect for matrimonial sanctity, Okpala stated: “There is another virtue for which I so much respect Mr Bature: He does not have a side chick,” she said, adding that he repeatedly demonstrates discipline for matrimonial purity.
In a related development, Bautre’s neighbour of 24 years, Prince George Ibrahim, who was at the event, agreed with Mrs. Okpala, saying: “We have never seen any such questionable person visiting him since he became our guest on the 4th of January 2001 till this day,” adding: “We call him Baba, but we didn’t know who he was until much later. Our children will miss him so much.”
Prince George’s wife, who was moved to tears while speaking, said: “We miss Baba already. A very generous man! A different sort of man! My family began to refer to me as ‘Baba Abuja’s wife’ because he took up a fatherly role in my life.”
Mr. Luck Oriere, who retired from the Agency as Director of the National Geoscience Research Laboratories, Kaduna, said: “Mr Bature became my friend, and the friendship progressed to family level. He is a real man, a good friend, and a faithful colleague who humbly accepts responsibility when he makes mistakes.”
On his part, Dr. Abbah Usman, Department of Geophysics, NGSA, said: “I met Bature at the NGSA. He is a man of faith who accepts God’s will.” Usman, who agreed with the Director-General that Bature’s retirement creates a large vacuum, assured that he will “step into the shoes” and fill the vacuum.
Dr. Edwin Ekwo, Director, NGSA Department of Hydro and Engineering Geology extolled Bature, saying: “He is popular, a peacemaker, and has earned the trust and confidence of staff, even the junior staff,” adding that Bature is also a man of great resolution who doggedly pursues ideals about which he is convinced.
In a related development, Mr. Ben Kachikwu, Director of Finance and Accounts at the Agency, said: “Bature loves justice; he believes in equity and has a deep hunger for fairness to all.” Kachikwu however noted that “if he is not happy with you, you would know a different Bature.”
Mr. Mustapha, Director, Geoscience Planning and Information Technology (GPI) described Mr. Bature as a senior colleague, adding that he has worked closely with him since 2005.
Mustapha referred the audience to a group photograph shot in Year 2005 featuring the foundation staff of RECTAS, stating that Bature, who featured prominently in the displayed image, “is a jolly good fellow who easily gets along with people.”
Mrs. Adelugba Fumilayo, Deputy Director of Economic Geology, said: “I met Bature at Ibadan, but I started working closely with Mr. Bature in 2008 during the Nickel Project in Osun state. I discovered that he is a good man. He gives his subordinates a voice. As Deputy Director in the outstation, I admire him the most because he cares for all those who participate in a project.”
Mr. Makinde Paul, Assistant Director, Human Resources at the Agency, said: “I met him in March 2004. His presence in the Agency makes us believe that the Agency can be better. He sends goodwill text messages to us, and he does not discriminate.”
Comrade Okon Otobong who spoke on behalf of the Junior Staff of the Agency, described the retiring director as “a great builder,” stating that he is a reliable supporter of drivers. “When a driver is fine, Bature is the secret, he supports us with what he can.”
“He is our inspiration, and tells us to be patient and that we can get to where we want to get to if we are patient.”
Mr. Alex Tarka, former Executive Director, NNPC, who is also Mr. Bature’s classmate, said: “I have come a long way with Bautre. We left ABU in 1989. He sends messages and reaches out to all his associates. He carefully ensures that the messages he sends are not offensive.”
Hajiya Hadiza Goni who is Deputy Director, Regional Geology, stated: “Whenever a director is retiring, staff voluntarily contribute money to buy a goodwill gift. This time, staff have contributed the largest sum ever.”
Mr Silas Yakubu who is a retiree, said: “It is well said that Mr. Bature is a good person, but it depends on which side of him you are. The point is that Bature makes a lot of sacrifices, and he is being rewarded with love.”
He said staff should learn from Bature to continue to relate with those in the outstations: “Bature has more people outside NGSA than here in the headquarters. We should learn not to cut off people in the outstations,”
Mr. Bature thanked the Director General and all guests for their commendations. He gave thanks to God for finding fulfillment in the service and assured that he will continue to stay patriotic in order to develop the country and ensure the happiness of its people.
