Alhaji Nma Abubakar Mohammed (Marwan Nupe), aka 212, is a director in the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs. In this chat with ABDULLAHI MUHAMMAD, he speaks on his career, his youth empowerment programme and myriad of issues.
Can we get to know more about your background generally sir?
My name is Alhaji Nma Abubakar Mohammed, Marwan Nupe, I was born on the 14th day of February, 1957 In Daracita Area of Bida. I was born to the family of Late Alh. Abubakar who was a mallam in Daracita Area, Bida. The name of my mother is Hajiya Aishatu Dangana, she is also from Daracita Bida.
I attended Kofar Eyagi primary school Bida which is presently known as Umaru Sanda primary school Bida, between 1966 to 1973, from there I proceeded to premier college which we use to call Government College keffi formaly in Benue -Plateau state, where I did my O’level Certificate and my OND in Accountancy from Ahmadu Bello Uinversity, Zaria (ABU), after which I came back to start a preliminary one year work with the then Gbako Local Government as a cashier. After joining the local government, because of my love for education, I abandoned the appointment and went straight to The Federal Polytechnic Bida for my HND and we were the pioneer sets of the Federal Polytechnic Bida.
After my HND program, I came back to join the services of Niger State local government services commission where I was still seconded to Bida local government from where I proceeded to Federal University of Technology Minna for my PGD in computer science. While I was still in the local government I believe there was the need for further education so that we can have variety of alternatives and specialization to work and be able to impact that knowledge on the junior ones, so I went straight to Bayaro University Kano for my Masters in Banking and Finance. And after a year certificate, I went back again to BUK to do another course in Public Policy and Administration. Though, that is exactly because of the combined honors in Public Administration and Accountancy and Finance that gave me an edge to serve as one time Treasurer and also serve as a Director of personnel at the local government of Niger State. I worked severally in local governments like: Bida local government. I served as a Senior Accountant in Lemu local government. I also was appointed as a treasurer. We were the pioneer of Gbako local government. In Lemu I was the Director Finance and supply at that time. After I served in lemu as a treasurer I proceed to Paikoro as a treasurer. I served in different capacity in Minna municipal as a Director budget and so on and so forth.
Because of the versatility of my profession, I did not limit my scope of my academic pursuance to only finance and account. I was also given the position of Director Personnel Management which I served in kede local government in Niger State. Until that time I had to transfer my service from Niger state Civil Service to Federal Civil Service which I was appointed as Assistant Director Account. I was posted to the office of Accountant General of the Federation. While in the office of the accountant general of the federation, I was in charge of revenue and investment under the Murphy Divisional Department.
Usually, the accountant in the office of the accountant general of the federation is supposed to be an eyewitness to accountant general. So most of us were only posted to various ministries and I had the privilege to be posted from the office of Accountant General of the Federation to Federal Ministry of Works. It was there I became Deputy Director Finance and Account. I served there for almost four and a half years before I took an interview and was promoted to the rank of Director Finance and Account; I served there for almost one year not until now that I have been transfer to ministry of Police Affairs as a director presently that is where I am as a director.
How did you bag the title, Marwan Nupe?
It is an interesting question. You see, sometimes before you are given that kind of title you most have done something to the society. As such, I feel much honored for what His Royal highness, the Estu of Nupe, Alh. Yahaya Abubakar has done to me by giving me the title “Marwan Nupe.” I think what informed his decision could have been my empowerment programmes through community participation in the area of development, area of employment generation and area of enlightenment and education.
Let me take you back memory lane. I remember when I was still working in Abuja; there was an occasion of Nupe day. Incidentally, guests of various calibers were in Bida looking for where to eat. I feel ashamed of myself because in the whole of Bida there wasn’t a good enough or standard restaurant that could accommodate that kind of gathering of that class of people. So that informed my decision to bring what is called “DAN ABU KITCHEN.” If you see it, it is exactly opposite Emir Palace. I did it with the aim of boosting the hospitality industry in Bida. Also, more people, especially Bida people would be employed. At least travelers and also guests won’t have the problems of food and accommodation. In the Gbanbara area, there is “DAN ABU RESORT AND SUIT,” which I decided to put on so as to provide accommodation to the number of guests that are on Tourism purpose not only within the area but also in the whole of Bida. I think these are some of the ways we can give back to the society.
In the area of employment generation, especially with the current unemployment trend, I have factored in farming as one of the major employment generator, which is why I set up “DAN ABU INTEGRATED FARM. I did it with all seriousness that is why as at now I have over 70 staff currently working in the farm and they all specialise in various areas like Nylon, pure water, groundnut oil, poetry, and fishery and so on. And plans are ongoing to recruit more and more people as the services are increasing day after day. I think that has fully created a lot of employment for the people.
I think this is one of the things that strike the mind of the Emir as he was so happy seeing a young man who has the kind of interest of development of the area and he decided to give me this title. It is said that “one good turn deserves another.” I sincerely thank His Royal highness for this honour awarded to me.
Why haven’t you shown interest in the 2015 election?
I believe I am still a federal civil servant even though it is not an end to the means. At any point in time a civil servant should be ready to serve his people. So I have been all along looking forward to seeing or hearing a clarion call to serve humanity. I believe I will do that. Meanwhile, since no move have been taken on that issue, I am still adamant to see if I can be able to come and support any of the candidate that has good direction and that has the welfare of the good people of Niger state at heart. However, it is my hope that as soon as there is any clarion call by my people, I am always willing to give my contribution and quota as far as I am concern.
What advice do you have for the electorate, the Nupes specially, especially now that we are approaching election time?
We have to be very sincere in electoral process and not to sale our votes because it is our civic responsibility we have as an individual. The constitutional provision gives us the mandate to select a leader of our choice. The candidate that we believe can be able to take the state and Nigeria to greater height. We should be focused in our decision making so that we would be able to give our votes to the person we believe will bring developmental programs to our people. The person who would have the capacity to provide security because in every situation where there is no security nothing can happen. First and foremost we will think of somebody who has the desire and aspiration to do more for our people especially the youths because they have that vibrancy to do things much better than an old man. So, I will suggest and advice the youths to support a youth who would be able to do something better than what our elders are doing.
How true is the claim by the populace that you are warming up as running mate to whoever wins the primaries of the PDP Gubernatorial seat?
I have said it before and I will continue to say it, once you as an individual are invited to serve the people you have no objection because the service is to humanity and this are some of the basic ingredients of every rational human being.
I am prepared to serve in whatever capacity my people want me to do. I look forward to seeing that beautiful day.
What would you want to be remembered for?
When I came to this world I came for a purpose apart from coming to worship Almighty Allah and also to put a smile on the faces of the needy. That has been my job and I think that is exactly what I want to be remembered for and that is why whenever am at home whoever comes to see me I listen to him attentively and see how best I can assist him or her. It has been part of my life philosophy and I will continue to do that until life brings me to an end.
