"Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction." - John Crosby
In writing this eulogy, I have pondered on
the word, “Mentor” and how it came about. Various resource materials attribute
the word to a Greek mythology. According to this myth, Mentor was the name of
the son of Alcimus. In his old age, Mentor was a friend of Odysseus, the
legendary Greek king of Ithaca.
As time went by, Odysseus placed his son,
Telemachus, and his palace in the care of Mentor and his foster-brother Eumaeus
when he departed for the Trojan War. When Athena, the great Olympian goddess of
wise counsel visited Telemachus, she disguised as Mentor to hide herself from
the suitors of Telemachus' mother Penelope, whose husband (Odysseus) was
thought to have died in the Trojan War.
As Mentor, the goddess encouraged Telemachus
to stand up against the suitors and go abroad to find out what had happened to
his father. When Odysseus suddenly returned to Ithaca, Athena appeared briefly
in the form of Mentor again at Odysseus' palace.
As a result of Mentor's
relationship with Telemachus, and the disguised Athena's encouragement and
practical plans for dealing with personal dilemmas, the name Mentor was adopted
in English as a term meaning someone who imparts wisdom to and shares knowledge
with a less experienced colleague.
In today’s modern term, a mentor is a person
or friend who guides a less experienced person by building trust and modeling
positive behaviors. An effective mentor understands that his or her role is to
be dependable, engaged, authentic, and tuned into the needs of the mentee.
It
is in the above light that I have come to view Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, the
immediate past Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI) at
Headquarters Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the officer that has come to
epitomize PR in the NAF, having served as DOPRI on 2 occasions with a
cumulative 7 years in tow.
Since my first encounter with Anas some 19
years ago as a young pilot officer fresh from the prestigious Nigerian Defence
Academy, I have come to regard him as my mentor given that it was he who
nurtured me and instilled those basic on-the-field PR techniques I needed in
performing my duties. I recalled my first interface with Anas then as a Staff
Officer DOPRI at the then HQ NAF Annex situated at HQ NAF Officers’ Mess, No 1
Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Being one of the very few officers to
voluntarily opt for PR as a trade in the NAF back then, Anas received me with
open arms and made me feel at ease at the Directorate. He struck me as a refined and humble officer
always willing to lend a helping hand to a much younger colleague. It didn’t
take long for me to realize the calming and infectious effect of his presence
in the Directorate, especially during crisis periods. Even the airmen felt at
ease with his demeanour.
He would always come to the library, the then
makeshift office I shared with Late Group Captain Dayo Makun (May His Soul Rest
in Peace), to check up on us and find out how we were coping. Even when we fell
out of line, Anas was always at hand to sort things out. As a young officer, I must confess that I was
awestruck by Anas’ meekness and his attitude towards his subordinates.
Clearly, Anas was aware that subordinates buy
into the visions of their leaders only when you carry them along and add value
to their lives. Hence his good nature knows no bound when relating with both
his superiors and subordinates alike. As a young PR officer about to venture
into a turf already saturated with civilians, Anas’ mentoring played a major
role in shaping many of us while preparing us for the challenges that lay
ahead. Indeed, this wasn’t what one had expected especially when one reminisces
about stories being told of subordinates placed under undue pressure with
little or no results to show for it at the end
Aside being a truly eminent man-manager,
great educator, a man of vision, integrity, humility, extraordinary leadership
and tremendous energy, Air Cdre Anas had a sensitive and warm approach to
people and took a personal and keen interest in personnel welfare and career
progression. This he brought to bear on
the 2 occasions he served as the DOPRI.
During his second tenure, nearly all of the
non-trade personnel in the Directorate underwent Basic PR or PR-related
training. It must also be said that Anas has a commanding presence, yet was
humble, approachable and friendly. Little wonder therefore that even in
retirement, his services are still sought after as only recently, to be precise
23 June 2015, Anas was appointed the Executive Secretary of the newly
established Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC).
A Non-Governmental and independent body, the
CCC aims at actively being involved in research works and publications and
provides credible and professional crisis communication to the stakeholders and
the general public. What makes this appointment unique is the fact that CCC is
a brain child of the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies
(FOSSRA) whose membership consist of the
spokespersons of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Nigerian Army (NA), Nigerian
Navy (NN), Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of
State Service (DSS), Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigerian Customs
Service (NCS), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nigerian
Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),
Nigerian Prison Service (NPS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Federal Fire Service, and National
Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
That Anas, a proud ambassador of the NAF, was
considered worthy of leading an organization nurtured by his colleagues while
on retirement speaks volume of his rich pedigree. To many, this appointment
didn’t come as a surprise in view of his vast experience as a PR guru with over
30-year experience on the job. That he will succeed is therefore not in doubt.
Anas
attended the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of 27th Regular Course. He is
a recipient of many awards some of which include Best Man of the Year in 2012
by the American Biographical Institute for Outstanding Pursuits and
Achievements in Public Relations, Forces Services Star, Meritorious Service
Star and Defence Service Star.
*Group Capt. Edward Gabkwet
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Pix: Air Comm. Abas, Executive Secretary CCC.
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