By Ahmad Muhammad Danyaro
Providence, fate, hard work and loyalty, are four words that obviously shaped the life of Malam Umar Namadi, who recently turned the golden age of 60 in service to God and humanity.
Goodwill messages, prayers and commendations pour in like a torrential rainfall hitting the roof.
Many of the celebrant’s associates, well wishers and supporters have demonstrated their love for Malam Namadi. But who is this man and what is the significance of his 60th birthday?
Malam Namadi is the current deputy governor of Jigawa State and governor-elect awaiting his well-deserved elevation from number two to the state number one citizen come May 29, this year.
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 the state.
Malam 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, Malam 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, Malam Namadi 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 the state in 2019, Malam Namadi had served as Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning in the state from 2015 to 2019, where he championed several innovations in the management of the state’s finances, improving the efficiency and transparency.
Malam 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 which he has been undertaking for years.
The most remarkable thing about Malam 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, Malam 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 – 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 All Progressives Congress (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.
This time marks a double joy celebration in the life of the celebrant.
One, he is 60 years old and in few weeks to come he will be ushered into the office as the fifth civilian governor of the state. He is gladly succeeding his principal, Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar. It is the first the state is witnessing the same government transition in its history.
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 Malam Namadi, these past 60 years have not only been eventful, but have been characterized by modest accomplishment, to which he says he owes all to Almighty Allah.
Danyaro is the Senior Special Assistant (Print Media) to Jigawa State Governor and wrote in from Dutse.
