Faruk Malami Yabo
Faruk Malami Yabo MFR (Member of the Order of the Federal Republic) is an entrepreneur, political figure, and philanthropist based out of Sokoto State in the Northwestern region of Nigeria. A well-traveled and cultured individual, Faruk is passionate about development, human empowerment and civil rights. He has travelled extensively around the globe over the past decades. His travels have taken him across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the United States to share his knowledge and network on issues of development and sustainable growth in Africa.
His wealth of experience and his involvement in highly strategic projects both nationally and internationally has honed his confidence and broadened his influence among top government officials and private sector captains of industry. These relationships have broadened his reach and his capacity to deliver and perform creditably over the years. He has played very strategic roles in the success stories of several Legacy Projects of the Administration of H.E. Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Executive Governor of Sokoto State (2007 - 2015).[1]
Early Life & Education
Faruk’s passion for his country and its people were forged in him at young age. Born in 1969 in Yabo Town, Faruk set out on a tailored academic and professional path which would later enable him to be the dynamic political figure he is today.
After finishing High School In1985, he attended the College of Education Sokoto (Then Affiliated to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria), between 1985 – 1988, and earned his National Certificate in Education (NCE Business Education) in 1988. After graduation he was hired as an Administrative Officer by his Alma Mater.
In 1997 Faruk attended Bayero University Kano, and received his Advanced Diploma in Public Administration (ADPA). He thereafter, furthered his studies at the same Bayero University, kano, obtaining a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Policy Administration (PGDPPA) in 2000 and Masters in Public Policy Administration (MPPA) from the same Bayero University in February 2007.
After his Master’s Degree, Faruk traveled overseas to further his education. In 2009 he attended the J.F. Kennedy School of Government at the prestigious Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, and earned a Certificate in Public Financial management. Thereafter, he proceeded to the United Kingdom and obtained a Certificate in International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), at the University of Manchester Business School. In furtherance of his quest for education, he attended the National Open University of Malaysia in 2012 that earned him a Certificate in Economy& Local Government Management systems & Administration. That same year he attended the Chevro Institute of Politics, Prague, Czech Republic, where he bagged a Certificate in Municipality Management.
In 2013 he obtained a Certificate in Local Government Systems and Administration at the Institute of Politics, University of Nicosia in Cyprus. Most recently Faruk attended the Royal University of Bahrain that saw him grabbing a Certificate in Urban Planning & Municipality Management.
Since 2007,Faruk has continuously expanded upon his knowledge base and influence, and has become a member of a number of societies, institutes, and groups. In 2007 he became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). In 2009 he became a Fellow at the Chatered Institute of Economics of Nigeria (FCIEN), followed shortly after in 2010 by becoming an Associate, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACIT) and earning his Chartered National Accountant (CNA) certification. In 2013 he became a member of Chartered Institute of Administration (MCIA), and in 2014 Faruk became a Fellow with the Certified Financial Analysts of Nigeria (FCFA).
Career, Entrepreneurship & Political Positions
After completing his National Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1988, he started his early working career as an administrative officer and assistant lecturer in the department of business education, College of Education Sokoto. In 1989 he switched to the banking sector and became the Personal Assistant to the Executive Director of Administration & Management Services at the Bank of the North Headquarters, Kano. Over the next seven years Faruk held a number of important and strategic positions within the Bank of the North infrastructure. In 1992 he was appointed as the Assistant Public Relation Officer at the regional office in Lagos. In 1994 he transited to the position of Administrate Officer, positioned at Victoria Island in Lagos, and in 1996 he became the Returns Officer at the Southern Operations Regional Office.
In 1998 Faruk embarked on his first entrepreneurial venture and founded Millennium Aviation Handling Company Limited(a major aircraft handler to United Nation Flights on Peace Keeping Mission in Angola), as its pioneer MD/CEO. In 2000 Faruk was presented with the opportunity to utilize his vast wealth of technological skills to help a number of groups of indigenous peoples in Nigeria to communicate. He became the MD/CEO of K-Technologies Limited. A company that pioneered the development of Computer software, in the 3 major Nigerian languages of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages.
In 2004 Faruk Co-founded and acted as the Secretary General for the Northern Book Trust, which was a United States Sabre Foundation Supported Book Donation Program to Educational Institutions in the north, particularly Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Bayero University Kano & Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto. That same year he became the MD/CEO of Right Media Limited, which was a media firm that consulted for Sights and Sounds of Kano and the Bi-Centenary Anniversary of the Sokoto Sultanate, for the Cable News Network (CNN), and was appointed the Chairman of the Foreign Trade Relations Committee for the Kano Chamber of Commerce (KACCIMA).
Shortly after in 2005 he became the Director of international Operations for EAS Airline, an International Operating Airliner & Federal Government Designated Hajj & Umra (Lesser Hajj) Carrier.
From 2007 to 2012, Faruk was the Honorable Commissioner for Finance in Sokoto State and member of the Federation Account & Allocation Committee (FAAC). During the same period, he was also a member of Nigeria’s national Joint Tax Board (JTB). Faruk later served as the Honorable Commissioner, Ministry for Local Government & Community Development Sokoto State, and Chairman, State/Local Government Joint Account Committee, from 2012 to 2015.[2]
He was also a member of the Presidential Task Force on polio eradication between 2013 to 2015. Faruk also Chaired the Sokoto State Government/Millennium Development Goals (Conditional Cash Transfer Program, CCT), and was also a Member of the Sokoto State Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Program as well as a member of the NEPAD Peer Review Committee, the State University Resettlement Committee, and the Acting Chairman, Sokoto State Committee for the Resuscitation of Primary Mortgage Institution.
Leadership
In the political sphere, Faruk’s sound moral tutelage, respect for people and their views, tolerance, resilience, philanthropy, grassroots mobilization ability and his staunch belief in taking a holistic view of development; such that empowers people to control their destinies and harness the abundant natural resources (human and material) around them to transform their lives for the better, has greatly endeared him to the people as a true Leader that has placed his people and country’s progress at the hallmark of his callings and service to the nation. Faruk’s commitment and dedication to nation building has earned him the prestigious National Honor as Member of the Federal Republic, MFR conferred on him by His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2014.
In 2006 he won his Party’s (ANPP) Ticket to contest for the 2007 General Elections for Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency Seat at the House of Representatives. A ticket he later allowed courtesy of a fellow party member, in view of party consensus and major political arithmetic of that time (between PDP & ANPP) in Sokoto State.
Awards, Honors & Recognition
Faruk’s last eight years in the political realm has earned him a great deal of recognition and praises for his outstanding work and the momentous impact he has had both nationally and globally. These honors include:
- Conferment of the Prestigious National Honors, of MFR (Member of the Order the Federal Republic), by the President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR. 29Th September, 2014.
- Honorary Award of accomplishments and achievements in elevating Sokoto State, Nigeria to National prominence, in economic and business development, by the Governor of the State of Maryland, USA. May, 2015.
- Honorary Award of Recognition as a Distinguished Guest by the Mayor of Washington, DC. USA. 12 May 2015.
- Member, International Advisory Board, African Leadership Magazine (UK) Hanover, London. March, 2015.
- Honorary Award & Appreciation by the President/CEO, Washington DC Chamber of Commerce. United States of America (USA), May, 2015.
- Best Commissioner of the Year Award by, Newswatch Magazine. October, 2014.
- Grass root Development Award, by African Leadership Magazine. Atlanta-Georgia, USA. 10 October 2014.
- Resolution of Recognition by the Senate of the State of Georgia, United State of America. 10 October 2014.
- Honorary Citizenship Award of the State of Georgia, by the Governor of Georgia, United States of America (USA). November, 2014.
- Award of Recognition for Outstanding Support & Inspiring Citizens towards Peace & Security, by Department of State Security Services (DSS) North-West Zonal Command (Travels &Alien Control (TAC), Headquarters. November, 2014.
- “Award of Honor”, By Forum of Commissioners of Finance in Nigeria (FCFN). 12 May 2014.
- Traditional Title of “YARIMAN YABO”, by the District Head of Yabo, 17 April 2014.
- “Award of Honor” By Kungiyar Hausa (Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto. 17 April 2014.
- “Best Commissioner for Local Government in the North-West geopolitical zone”. Nigerian Local Government Development Award (House of Representatives Committee on States & Local Government Affairs).2013.
- Plague of Honor, by the Chairman of Parliament, Kingdom of Bahrain. February, 2013.
- Plague of Honor, by the Governor of Southern Governorate, Kingdom of Bahrain. February, 2013.
- Plague of Honor, by the Governor of Muhraq State. Kingdom of Bahrain. February, 2013.
- “Philanthropist Award” By All Stars (Veterans) Football Club, Sokoto, Kebbi & Zamfara States Chapter. 2013.
- “Excellence Award in Solar Energy” (E-SEAN), By Solar Energy Association of Nigeria (SEAN). November, 2012.
- NANS Medal of Honor. As, “Icon of Hope to Nigerian Students & Youths”. By National Association of Nigerian Students. 2013
- Chairman, Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), Sokoto State Chapter. 2007-Date
- MDG Recognition (Millennium Development Goals), for Developing a Functional CCT Model on Modern Poultry for the 3500 CCT Beneficiaries in Sokoto State.
- Patron/Member, FC Barcelona Football, Barcelona, Spain.
- “Performance Award” By Sokoto State House of Assembly, for increasing the Revenue Base of Sokoto State, while serving as Finance Commissioner.
- USAID Recognition, for heading the 1stGovernment Ministry in Africa to procure and distribute Maternal/Child Life Saving Drugs; Misopristol and Chloro-Hezedine.
- International Youth Ambassador.
- Nigerian Youth Parliament Award.
External links
References
- ↑ "Sokoto: A Help for the Poor". Thisdays live. October 12, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
- ↑ "Democracy ensures justice.". News Telegraph. June 2, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2015.