The Chief Press Secretary to the Kano State Governor, Mustapha Muhammad, has drawn widespread commendation after returning an excess Hajj allowance payment of SR6,000 mistakenly paid to him in Saudi Arabia.
The amount, estimated at about N2.4 million, was reportedly refunded immediately after the error was discovered — a move many have described as a rare demonstration of honesty, accountability and transparency in public service.
Observers say the gesture sends a strong message about ethical leadership and responsible conduct at a time when trust in public officers remains a major concern.
Mustapha Muhammad built a respected career as a journalist in both THISDAY newspaper and Bloomberg, living out the moral creed of journalism in defence of freedom and accountability.
Though the excess payment may not be eye popping, but moral fibre of any society is built from, simple examplary behaviours as demonstrated by Mustapha.
It is for this honest effort that we nominate him as Nigerian of the week sending a direct message to public officers, media professionals to remain accountable , hardworking being some of the values encoded in the National Value Charter.