By Ngozi Ufomba
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has paid glowing tributes to Ambassador Dr. Fatima Helen Amanabo, Overseeing Director, Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage, DOAS as she bows out of public service after 35 years of dedicated and meritorious service.
The celebration, marked by emotion and gratitude, featured two separate events: an internal gathering at the DOAS office premises, and a valedictory ceremony organized by the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN, at A. 3Js Hotel,Utako Abuja.
Born on 29th August, 1966 in Ofakaga, Ofu LGA, Kogi State, Amb. Dr. Amanabo’s journey in public service began in the classrooms of Army Barracks Primary School, Afara Umuahia, Abia State and Army Barracks Primary School, Akwunanua, 82 Division, Enugu. She later attended Government Girls Secondary School, Ochaja_, popularly known as Ochaja Girls in Kogi State.
Academically, she is well-grounded. She holds an OND in Business Administration from Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State; an HND in Banking and Finance from Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa; and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Calabar.
Amb. Dr. Amanabo joined the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, in 1991 as a Personal Assistant . She was also among the pioneer staff of Establishment and Training, FCTA, when the FCT Administration was fully constituted.
Over three and a half decades, she served in several strategic departments including Engineering Services, FCDA; Administration and Supply, FCDA. Establishment and Training, FCTA; and the Office of the Honourable Minister, FCTA.
Her commitment to good governance saw her serve on critical committees such as the Committee on Right of Seizing, FCTA; Petition on Right of Seizing, FCTA; Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit, FCTA; and as a Ministerial SERVICOM Officer, FCTA.
A professional to the core, she is a Member of the Nigeria Institute of Management; Member of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, ARCON; Fellow of the Institute of Leadership Manpower and Management Development, ILMMD; and Fellow of the Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators of Nigeria, IPMAN. She is also recognized nationally as a Peace Ambassador of Nigeria.
To sharpen her capacity, she attended numerous courses in Time and Stress Management, Effective Team Building. Treasury Management and Fraud Prevention, Project Monitoring and Evaluation for Corruption Prevention, Strategic Human Resources Management, and Leadership Role in Contemporary Management.
Beyond official duties, she gave back to society through Ladies of Grace, Abuja; Noble Ladies of Nigeria, Abuja; and the Kogi State Forum for Justice.
Until her retirement, Amb. Dr. Amanabo served as Overseeing Director, DOAS. It was in this role that she left an indelible mark. She was widely credited with sanitizing the FCT of illegal signage, improving compliance levels, and professionalizing the outdoor advertisement sector_ in the nation’s capital.
In a show of love, management staff, staff, and other individuals within the office premises whom she impacted in a very special way gathered at the Department to celebrate her contributions.
The Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN, led by its National President, Dr. Shola Akinsiku, also honoured her with a special valedictory ceremony at A.3Js Hotel, Abuja, describing her as a reformer and solution-driven leader who brought dignity and order to the industry.
In her remarks, Amb. Dr. Amanabo thanked God and the FCTA leadership for the opportunity to serve. She urged staff to continue to uphold transparency, diligence and service delivery in all their assignments.
She also thanked members of OAAN for organizing a befitting retirement celebration in her honour, and appealed to outdoor practitioners in the FCT to always do the right thing to avoid sanctions and penalties from the department_.
Colleagues described her as a mentor, administrator and peace builder whose legacy of commitment will remain a reference point in the FCTA.
The FCTA has wished her a peaceful and impactful retirement.
In a brief handover ceremony, Amb. Dr. Amanabo handed over the mantle of leadership to . Azaki Sunday Kachiwoyi, PhD. who now serves as Acting Director, DOAS. Until his appointment, Azaki was the Deputy Director and Head of Accounts, DOAS.