Nigeria has lost one of its notable military figures, as Major General Paul Omu, a former governor of the South-Eastern State — now Akwa Ibom and Cross River States — has passed away.
The retired military officer died at the age of 84 on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. This was made known in an official statement from his family, released on Wednesday, April 30.
In the announcement signed by Oghenekome Omu for the family, the late General was remembered as a man who dedicated his life to the service of both Nigeria and his local community. “Major-General Paul Ufuoma Omu was a family man, patriot, statesman, soldier, and community leader whose life was marked by unwavering commitment to the service of Nigeria and his beloved Isoko Nation,” the family’s statement read.
Omu held the position of military governor from July 1975 to July 1978 in the then South-Eastern State, during which time he spearheaded important infrastructure projects and oversaw key reforms that shaped the development of the region.
His career also saw him appointed in 1985 as the Commander of the Command and Staff College and as a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council, which was at the time the country’s top governing body.
In the country’s political history, General Omu played a prominent role in the transition towards democratic governance. He chaired the Constitutional Conference Commission in 1994, where he contributed significantly to shaping Nigeria’s constitutional discussions ahead of its return to civilian rule. The family’s statement noted, “His leadership, insight, and patriotism earned him national respect and admiration.”
In September 2009, former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua named him chairman of the 10-member governing board of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), further affirming his place in Nigeria’s leadership circle.
Major General Omu is survived by his wife, Senator Chief (Mrs) Stella Omu, six children, siblings, and numerous grandchildren and extended family members. He also served as the president of the Isoko Development Union (IDU) from 2014 to 2015.
