RETIREMENT: Duro Sanni Bows Out From NECO Amidst Encomiums 

By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo, anipr

On 11th November, 2024 Mallam Abdulhamid Duro Sanni retired from the services of the National Examinations Council (NECO) meritoriously. It is public knowledge that whoever retired from the public service, has enjoyed the rare grace from the Almighty Allah.

The reason is simple, it is not everyone that would witness the end of his service, due to instances of death, ill health and dismissal. So, for me, it is delightful and worthy of acknowledgement to see my big brother witnessing his retirement without hiccups. Alhamdulillah .

He is not a regular civil servant, because his generosity is superb. You can’t be around him and complain that you have no money; he would surely extend his hand of fellowship to you.

Those who worked with him when he was in service have attested to this. Mallam Duro has a unique attitude that makes him stands out amongst his colleagues, he has a large heart and he is highly accommodating. He is religious and does not joke with his daily prayers

It would not be weighty enough to singularly recognize this large-hearted personality without acknowledging the views of others. To this end, Mr Abdulrasheed Rabana, the former NASU Chairman and one of the Heads of Division in the Council, aptly captures his personality thus: “For me, he is someone that can come down to any level to relate peacefully with anyone”. The truth is that not everyone has such a feature.

Mr Yunusa Ibrahim, a Deputy Director in the Council describes him thus, “Myself and Duro Sanni were good friends.He is Upright and straightforward. When it comes to work he is dedicated.He doesn’t cut corners and is very jovial .If he has the means, he would assist whoever comes his way for help”

Mr Abdulsalam Kola Ibrahim, a Deputy Director in the Council, who is also the President of Ilorin Emirate Indigenes in NECO said, “Mr. Duro Sanni is well known for his dedication to duty and a kind-hearted person who is always there to assist his kinsmen in any capacity. He is a jovial person, accommodating and he doesn’t see himself as being above all other persons.

When he was the HOD, Malpractice, his office was a behive of activities. Staff from different departments gather whenever they are less busy, either to drink water from his fridge or to have their lunch and crack jokes.

He’s such a wonderful fellow who loves seeing people around him”.

In his own account, Mr Musa Muhammad Hassan, one of the Heads of Division in the Council, Mallam Duro is “a good person, he has good human relations. If you have a challenge without telling him, once he notices it, he would stand by you. He doesn’t look at your age, background or rank to flow with you.

Virtually everybody is his friend. He is very accommodating. If you are working with him your acumen will improve, and your social life too will change ,because you can’t see him dirty. He always appear neat. Everyone has its shortfall but his goodness outweighs his weakness. Talking about him is inexhaustible”.

Mr Lukman Abiodun Yusuf, a member of staff in the Council explained that, “Oga Duro Sanni Is a nice and caring personality. Everything about him is good. The most generous and the best in the history of our unit.”

Mr Emmanuel Paul is also a member of staff in the Council. Here is what he said about him: “In fact, out of the five Heads of Division I have worked with, Mr Sanni remains one of the best.

He carries everybody along as if we were his own children. Kind-hearted person. He ran an open door policy and never left anyone behind in terms of welfare. Nobody can say anything negative about him throughout his period as the Head of Malpractice and Investigation Division. His style of leadership is worthy of emulation. He served as a father not only to the Division but also to the entire department.

Abdulhamid Murtala Gezawa is a member of Staff at the NECO Kano State Office.He asserts “Mallam Duro Sanni is hundred percent nice and he has been my good Boss for a long time .He was NECO State Coordinator twice in Kano State .He taught me so many things in the job.The day he left Kano,many staff were crying”.

Furthermore, Mr Doffen Emenike,a member of staff in the Council revealed this about Duro Sanni,”He is a respecter of both the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.He is a Workaholic who discharges his responsibilities promptly.

He is a dyed-in-the-wool Welfarist who considers the welfare of those under him (Subordinates) first.He has a cordial and harmonious relationship with people and perceive all and sundry as one irrespective of their ethnic or religious affiliation.

While in position of authority, he operated an open door policy and was loved by many because of his humility, generosity uprightness and earnestness in defending his subordinates when faced with challenges in their place work.

Mr Joshua Sule had worked with him before, this is what he has to say about him: ” Oga Sanni is such a nice person. Is a tutor;he would teach you the job and wouldn’t hide anything from any member of Staff. Very transparent personality.”

Mrs Ronke Amuludun, a member of staff also opined: “Oga Sanni, the name that is attributed to humility. He is one of the senior colleagues I hold in high esteem, because he freely relates with his subordinates not minding the tribe and religion. He is an amazing personality, it is my prayer that he will enjoy his retirement in sound health;and his children will go places in his lifetime. Congratulations, Oga wa Alalubarika”

Lukman Ahmed, a member of staff, who is also a former Personal Assistant on Poverty Alleviation to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state has described Mr Duro Sanni as a Kind-hearted person, and an excellent civil servant.

Mrs Ibrahim Monsurat Shola is a member of staff at the NECO North Central Office in Ilorin. She asserts ” Mr Duro Sanni is simple, humble and nice”

Enough justice wouldn’t have been done with this piece without an input from Engineer(Dr) Kamilu Dauda, an Oil and Gas expert(Top Executive), who is also a good friend of Mallam Duro Sanni. Here is what he said, “Mallam AbdulHameed Duro Sanni is a gentle and well polished individual with a clear sense of responsibility.
Highly intelligent, coordinated, and people oriented person.

Duro is a highly accomplished development professional with over 3 decades of experience driving growth, innovation, and excellence in human development.

He is a good community leader, a very friendly and respected person within his environs. He is a very good friend and brother of over 5 decades.

A sound and well-respected administrator and family man.I wish him the very best with sound health in retirement”

It was through Engineer Kamilu Dauda that I found out that “Falcao” many call Duro Sanni, was a unique nickname . A quick search on Google reveals that Radamel Falcao is a Colombian professional footballer.

He is considered one of the best strikers of his generation. He is also regarded as one of the greatest Colombian and South American footballers of all time. His love for football must have earned him such a nickname.

But according to Mr Duro Sanni, the nickname has to do with Brazilian Roberto Falcao of 1982 World cup. Ah ! wetin I know in 1982. Earlier in the year 2024 my elder brother, Sheikh Hassan Sa’ad Dembo took me to Dr Kamilu’s GRA residence in Ilorin on a visit. When my brother introduced me to him.

He said you worked in the same place with “Falcao”. I immediately picked that he was referring to Mr Duro . Even though Engineer Kamilu Dauda’s name rings the bell in Ilorin and beyond but I have never met him one on one until that day. A perfect gentleman, a community leader with a high sense of reasoning, generosity and hospitality.

A tree is known for his fruits; a man by his deeds. It is imperative to relate with people no matter their social status. You shouldn’t look down on people, because you are their superior officers at work.

Life itself is a lesson for those who care to learn. Duro Sanni has proved beyond reasonable doubt that he is lively, simple, hardworking and accommodating in his approach to people and work. It can be seen in the account of many members of staff.

Mr Duro is a multi lingual figure because he speaks English, Yoruba, Hausa and Baruba languages.He is blessed with children and four grandsons.

It is often said that retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of the open highway. Let me thus end this piece by the words of an American Biochemist, Betty Sullivan, ” There is a whole new kind of life ahead, full of experiences just waiting to happen. Some call it ‘retirement.’I call it bliss”. It will be a bliss for him, In Shaa Allah.