Tribute to a quintessential Deputy Governor at 50

I met Engrineer Abubakar D. Aliyu 10 years ago at one of his routine inspection visits at Zanna Zakariya Housing Estate in Damaturu. He was in jeans and T-shirt, typical of an engineer.  He exchanged pleasantries and mingled freely with workers on site, checking work done the previous day. The young engineer dished out instructions […]

I met Engrineer Abubakar D. Aliyu 10 years ago at one of his routine inspection visits at Zanna Zakariya Housing Estate in Damaturu. He was in jeans and T-shirt, typical of an engineer.  He exchanged pleasantries and mingled freely with workers on site, checking work done the previous day. The young engineer dished out instructions with precision of professional competence. He was full of energy and confidence. He left no one in doubt that he is a quintessential professional who will not compromise the dictates of his cherished profession.
Born 50 years ago, Engr. Abubakar, a younger brother to former Yobe State governor, the late Mamman Ali, started his early education in Jimeta Yola and  Munguno, in Borno State. After his secondary education, he proceeded to Kaduna Polytechnic where he obtained a National Diploma (ND) in Civil Engineering.
He started his working career in 1987, and after four years in the Civil Service, he went back to Kaduna Polytechnic to obtain his Higher National Diploma (HND) in Civil Engineering. His zeal to further his knowledge in his chosen field of study, took him to the University of Maiduguri where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil and Water Resources Engineering.
His passion for his career made him to register as a fellow with the engineering practice regulatory body, the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN).
After the creation of Yobe State in 1991, Abubakar was deployed to the ministry of integrated rural development as principal engineer and later posted to the Yobe State Housing and Property Development Corporation as project engineer and subsequently appointed the managing director of the corporation in 2007. He was later appointed as acting permanent secretary in the ministry of housing.
His strict supervision of construction work at Obasanjo and Zanna Zakariyya Housing Estates, Yobe/Turkish College, Damaturu three star hotel, the 200 bed ultra-modern hospital and others saved government a lot of resources, and there was value for money in all the projects he supervised.
The year 2009 marked a turning point in the life of Engr. Abubakar. Following the death of his elder brother, Governor Mamman Ali, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam was sworn in as governor. Governor Gaidam, having known Engr. Abubakar for his competence, humility and a long standing mutual relationship,  in addition to his appreciation of the efforts of the late governor, nominated Engr. Abubakar for the office of the deputy governor.
At the swearing in ceremony, Governor Gaidam said Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu was immensely qualified to effectively execute his new assignment as deputy governor, having worked with proven integrity for 21 years in the Civil Service.
Although there was a transformation in his career from a civil servant to the political office of a deputy governor, his commitment to executing duties assigned to him with high sense of responsibility and precision remained sacrosanct and unshakable. This made Governor Gaidam to develop more confidence in him and therefore assigned him with more responsibilities among which are overseeing ministries of Commerce, Health and lately, Infrastructure and Rural Development.
On his part, the deputy governor maintained unquestionable loyalty to his boss. He is fond of saying, “Governor Gaidam’s interest is my interest, his way is my way, my loyalty is unshaken and unflinching”. The deputy governor does not only say this but proves so in action. From 2009 to date, the governor and his deputy have maintained mutual trust and confidence in each other.
By virtue of his position as deputy governor, Abubakar assumed the political leadership of the ruling party from ANPP to APC in Yobe south, referred to as ‘Zone B’. The zone is undoubtedly the political hot bed of Yobe politics. It serves as base for opposition to the ruling party in the state. It parades the likes of Adamu Chiroma, Adamu Waziri and some other politicians in the PDP.
In spite of the strong opposition in Zone B, the deputy governor in 2011 organized an unprecedented rally in the political history of Zone B, and subsequently delivered the zone to the then ANPP . Although the 2015 national assembly election had some hiccups, the zone successfully delivered the presidential and governorship election to APC.
 Engr. Abubakar saw his position of leadership as an opportunity to bring the people together, strengthen peace and peaceful co-existence among the various socio-political and cultural groups in the zone. Proudly, under his good leadership, violence has been reduced to the bearest minimum in the zone.
He sponsors youth to pursue higher education in universities, polytechnics and colleges. For him, that is service to humanity that needs no fanfare but, this cannot go unnoticed. Parents and guardians of the beneficiaries have continued to sing songs of praise and appreciation for giving their wards hope for the future.
To many civil servants, politicians, parents and students, the life of Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu at 50, means so many positive things to them as they wish him many more years in good health and continuous service to humanity.  For many others, the Yobe State deputy governor is simply a role model.
 Lukman wrote this tribute  from Ali Marami Housing Estate, Damaturu, Yobe State.