The news of the appointment of Mr Garba Deen Muhammad as the Group General Manager Public Affairs Division, (GPAD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, swept swiftly across the airwaves, and instantly went viral.
The news though, came in the evening, of August 9, 2021, travelled far and wide in the speed of lightening leaving on its trail great refreshing and enthusiastic energy.
An avalanche of compliments came tumbling down drenching the social space.
Industry stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, the extended media circle, print, online, broadcast, academia, all were impacted by the news. Excitement, joy, refreshing, etc were some of the noticeable emotions among those who heard about it. One thing that was sure was that the announcement affirmed unequivocally that the man Garba Deen Muhammed, is the man of the destiny who the cap fits.
A multi-tasker with excellent organizational and leadership abilities, the new NNPC spokesman is a prolific writer, consummate editor, with deep knowledge of media production and communication. Garba is a complete gentleman, focused, patient, flexible and open to criticism. He is a lover of innovative strategies, an extra miler who over the years has established his civility, professionalism in the field of journalism, Public Relations and Reputation Management.
He was a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, 2015-16. Besides, Garba Deen Muhammad, left his indelible foot print in Weekly Trust Newspaper as Bureau Chief and State House Correspondent, Deputy Editor, Editor of the weekly Trust and Acting Editor of the Daily Trust.
His capacity as a team player and value-adding communication expert has been proven consistently.
He has played several roles as Media Adviser, providing quality services to politicians of note and leaders of thought, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo as Honourary Media Assistant.
Garba Deen Muhammad, who until his latest appointment was Group General Manager/Special Adviser on Media to the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, H.E. Timipre Sylva had demonstrated his usual thoroughness and candor on the beat, breaking new grounds by introducing creative digital media content production to promote the Ministry, and the official activities of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources on social media platforms.
With the skill set of Garba Deen Muhammad, Media Relations, Content Production, Corporate Communications and unique understanding and passion for the application of Digital Media, the NNPC Group Public Affairs Division (GPAD) is on course to the next level.
A first degree and Masters holder from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Garba Deen is endowed with an elastic professional wherewithal, high consciousness of the strategic place of technology in communication when it comes to driving public perception of any organization.
Industry Stakeholders share strong opinion that this Alumnus of the Prestigious Lagos Business School, LBS, with robust exposure, strong network, deep knowledge of the industry, that parades great prowess in strategic leadership and media management within and outside the country, is suitable for the task especially in the season of transformation beckoned by the Petroleum Industry Act, (PIA).
Garba Deen Muhammad, an award-winning communication expert, is equipped with the capacity for critical thinking, versed in problem-solving, and understand the value of collaboration and teamwork. The quality and strength of his character has never been in question. He has always displayed resilience, patience and humility.
His strong work ethics will definitely come into the front burner as he leads the Group Public Affairs Division, GPAD, to a greater height
He is thoroughly furnished for this new post and familiar with the nooks and crannies of the job description.
His profound professional experience will undoubtedly be out there for everyone to see in the journey of transforming NNPC into a company of global repute.
A man of diligent penmanship, sound in editorial judgement, with a keen eye for detail Garba Deen believed that journalism is a public trust and that credibility is the vehicle of leadership and organizational management.
He will no doubt advance this ideology, guided by the NNPC policy of Transparency, Accountability, Performance and Excellence (TAPE)
It’s a truism that only the deep calls to the deep. It takes the visionary leadership of the NNPC to operate the sharp vision that is peculiar to an eagle to identify among the lot, and appoint Garba Deen to join the management team in the quest to reposition the corporation towards attaining global excellence.
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