Providence, fate, hard work and loyalty. These four words have typically shaped the life of Mallam Umar Namadi (Governor of Jigawa state), who on Sunday, April 7, 2024 turned the age of sixty one in service to God and humanity. Goodwill messages, prayers and commendations poured in like a torrential rainfall hitting the roof. Many of the celebrant’s associates, well-wishers and appointees have demonstrated their love for Mallam Umar Namadi. But who is this man and what is the significant of his 61st birthday?
Mallam Umar Namadi is the Executive Governor of Jigawa State since May 29, 2023. His professional career spanned over two decades of broad-based management experience in manufacturing industries, finance, the public sector, management consultancy, and audit practice.
An outstanding professional and administrator, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Bayero University, Kano, in 1987 and 1997, respectively. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds membership of professional associations such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Nigerian Institute of Management, and Chartered Institute of Taxation. His expertise includes general financial management, auditing and investigation, company restructuring, and government and business advisory services.
Born into a family of religious scholars (his grandfather was the Chief Imam of Kafin-Hausa) in Kafin-Hausa town of Kafin-Hausa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, Mallam Namadi started his education at Kafin Hausa Central Primary School (along with the traditional Qur’anic and Islamiyya education) from where he proceeded to Mallam Madori Teachers College where he obtained his Teachers Grade II Certificate in 1982.
In 1984, he sat for an A- Level Certificate examination and passed with good grades, aiding him to secure admission for undergraduate studies at the Bayero University, Kano where he graduated with a BSc in Accounting in 1987, and, later, bagged an MBA from the same institution.
After graduation, Mallam Umar Namadi served a mandatory scheme, National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in Makurdi, Benue State, where he worked as an Audit Assistant at Egwu Oga & Co. auditing firm.
Between 1988 and 1994, he held various positions working with an auditing firm Abdu Abdurrahim & Co. Chartered Accountants, based in Kano, which includes Audit Management and Consultancy Services.
He worked briefly at the National Board for Community Banks where he held the rank of Principal Inspection Officer and moved to Kaduna Textiles Limited where he served in various capacities.
As his career progressed, Mallam Umar moved to the Dangote Group of Companies where he rose from the rank of Assistant General Manager of Finance to occupy a higher position of Financial Controller in both the Dangote Sugar Refinery and Dangote Group.
After a stint in the private sector, he deployed his expertise and experience to the public sector. Between 2006 and 2013, he worked with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as a General Manager of Finance & Accounts and General Manager of Contribution Management Department.
Afterward, he left the public service to delve into business and private practice, holding positions as Managing Partner Namadi, Umar & Co. Chartered Accountants; Chairman/CEO Danmodi Food Processing Limited (Rice Millers); and Chairman/CEO Danmodi Farms Limited.
Before his ascension as the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State in 2019, Mallam Umar Namadi had served as Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning in the state from 2015-2019 where he championed several innovations in the management of the state’s finances, improving the efficiency and transparency.
Mallam Namadi’s career in both the public and private sectors as well as in the political realms has been marked by his resourcefulness, high-level adherence to ethics, and persistence in following the rules and doing the right things. This stands him out as an incorruptible, honest, and hardworking professional wherever he works.
Fondly called ‘Mallam’ – a reverence for his humility, punctuality, and dedication to work – he has been known for his unflinching desire to support and uplift the lives of ordinary people through employment, skills empowerment, and various philanthropic activities, which he has been undertaking for years.
The most remarkable thing about Mallam Namadi is his uprightness and dedication to service; he has garnered for himself an unblemished record of service and devotion to his community. He worked as a primary school teacher in his locality before venturing out into other, bigger fields of endeavor – all with an aim to help his people. In fact, Mallam Namadi’s concern for the betterment of his people’s lives is the primary motivation for his active participation in politics.
For instance, one of the fruits of his investments, Danmodi Foods Processing Ltd – the first private rice milling company in Jigawa state – has provided employment opportunities to numerous youths in the state. Also, he was the first person to introduce the out-grower scheme program in the state long before the adoption of a similar scheme at the federal level by the ruling APC.
He set up the first educational foundation in the history of Kafin-Hausa (alongside his younger brother Dr. Abdullahi Namadi) under which he sponsors the education of thousands of less privileged youths in the area and beyond.
The journey through life is often one that carries with it a very strong desire for self –fulfillment; fulfillment of one's dreams, desires aspirations or even goals. Sometimes, this manifests in celebrations over accomplishments or bowed heads over dashed hopes. However, for Mallam Umar Namadi these past 61 years have not only been eventful, but have been characterized by modest accomplishment, to which he says he owes all to almighty Allah . He has since assumption at Government House Dutse been championing an institutional reform of Jigawa State anchored on "Greater Jigawa 12-Point Agenda" aimed at moving the state to greater height .The impact of the 12-point Agenda is receiving thunderous applause from National and International Organisations. Therefore the Chief Architect of Greater Jigawa HE Mallam Umar Namadi should be celebrated by all and sundry as he mark his 61st in service to God and his people.
Ahmad is a Public Affairs Analyst and wrote in from Abuja.
