NACCIMA Vice-President congratulates Gov Namadi on successful Investment Summit
By Ali Baba-Inuwa
The National Vice-President of the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Alhaji Ahmad Rabiu, has lauded Gov Umar Namadi for successfully hosting of the 2nd Jigawa Economic and Investment Summit, saying the state has become a role model for others to copy in economic development.
Rabiu, also the Chairman, Northern States Conference of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture(CONSCCIMA) stated this when he spoke with newsmen in Dutse at the sideline of the summit.
He said that the governor had demonstrated courage and patriotism by surmounting numerous obstacles to ensure hitch free hosting of the summit with attract large number of foreign and local investors.
Rabiu, also a former Chairman, Kano Chamber of Commerce and investment and Chairman and Chief Executive of Mashasha Investments & Commerce Company Limited, said that the governor deserved commendations for achieving the feat in a very short while.
“I was a foundation member of the Jigawa Investment Promotion Agency (InvestJigawa), I served as a member of the governing board of the agency under the leadership of the former Deputy Governor of Jigawa, who is also a former senator, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia.
“When we started, there was nothing on the ground, but when you look at the situation now, lots have been achieved, like I said, we started a fresh, with nothing on the ground, what kept us moving was the tremendous support of the former Deputy Governor, who was always available as the chairman of the agency.
“We also had support from the world bank and other financial institutions who were on hand with technical advice and support; that was all we got.
“Initially, we had to start by sensitising and enlightening the people on the activities of the agency, we had to mobilise the people to get to know what we were out for,” he said.
Rabiu, also a one-time Kano State Commissioner for Commerce, said Jigawa State had achieved so much through the investment promotion agency.
“Today things are much different, so much have been achieved and the Agency which is more visible now and its operations are well known all over the world.
“Things have been spelled out clearly on how a potential investor could invest in agriculture, renewable energy, tourism and leisure and so on.
“Look at the number of participants at this summit, so many foreign and local investors willing to partner with the State Government to invest their money in the various sectors of the state.
“And again, the successful hosting of the 2026 Investment Summit under the chairmanship of the Vice-President Kashim Shettima with the Federal Government reassuring support is an indication of a great success.
“It shows how committed the Jigawa government is, to hasten the development of state by harnessing its full potential in the various sectors of the economy.
“I want to commend Gov Umar Namadi for the success summit, although he is an accountant by calling, he has been able turn things around in the state for the better. He has demonstrated commitment through effective leadership by turning things around in the state, he has been able to showcase the numerous Investment opportunities in the state,” Rabiu said.
The former Kano State Commissioner, stated that the signing of different Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and private investors, was an indication that the numerous efforts had begun to yield dividends.
“And this has begun to yield dividends, with the number of investors coming into the state, millions of jobs will be created, in agriculture alone many unemployed youths will be engaged, the same thing will happen in other sectors.
“For the government, there will be tremendous increase in government revenue and this will lead to more projects in infrastructure development, educational, healthcare and other areas.
“And this will improve the standard of living of the people,” he said.
Rabiu called on entrepreneurs, businessman and wealthy individuals in the state to take advantage of the government’s gesture by investing their money in the state for posterity.
“So I’m appealing to the people especially, indigenes of the state who are well to do to take advantage of the opportunity by investing their money in the state.
“We must join hands with the government to bring the needed investment to Jigawa not for immediate gains but for the sake of our unborn children and the generation yet to come, ” he said.
Biography;
Rabiu served as a pioneer member of the Investments and Securities Tribunal from 0ctober 2002 t0 December 2011. He is an expert in the capital market and also an expert in maritime transport and logistics. He is a corporate Investments Advisor, a professional Accountant and an internationally accredited chartered mediator. Rabiu built a formidable accounting career in the leading Dantata Organization Limited, a conglomerate of over forty (40) companies engaged in broad spectrum business activities from 1982 to 1999.
He worked as an accountant from 1983-1990 in the Dantata Investments and Securities Company Limited, (the holding company of the conglomerate) and was appointed Group Accountant in March 1990, a position he held up till 28th May 1999.
During the period he served the conglomerate as Group Accountant, Rabiu also served concurrently as the Managing Director of Kundila Finance Services Limited (a member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange) and represented Alhaji Dr. Aminu Al Hassan Dantata (OFR), the Group Chairman, as Director or Alternate Director on the Boards of such companies as Finetex Limited (Under the Chairmanship of late Alhaji Liman Chiroma), Funtua Cottonseed Crushing Company Plc (Under the Chairmanship of Dr Umaru Abdul Muttalab), Kano Kiln Limited, Colodense Nigeria Limited (Under the Chairmanship of late Alhaji Batunde Jose) – Agbara Estate Lagos, Kano Textile Printers Plc Under the Chairmanship of AVM Mukhtar Mohammed), Bebeji Oil & Allied Products Plc, Kano Abattoir Plc (Under the Chairmanship of the Wamban Kano Alhaji Abbas Sanusi), etc.
He retired from the Dantata Organization Limited Group of Companies in 1999 to found Mashasha Investments and Commerce Company Limited as President /Chief Executive. Mashasha Investments is a Corporate Investments Advisory Firm and also engages in Imports and Exports of general goods and renders Finance and Maritime Consultancy Services. Mashasha also publishes a monthly journal – The Tourist Insight through its subsidiary Apparel Communications Limited.
Born on 12th April 1958, Rabiu attended the famous Kaduna Polytechnic where he bagged Higher National Diploma in Accounting in 1982, He obtained Post Graduate Diploma in Management Sciences from 1990 – 1991 and MBA in 1993 all from the Bayero University, Kano. He has attended various courses on Securities Enforcement and Market oversight at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and externship at both the US SEC and other related organizations. He attended various International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) programs. Rabiu also attended various Finance and Good Governance courses at reputable world acclaimed training institutes including the glorious Harvard, London and Lagos Business Schools.
Rabiu is an MTI internationally accredited mediator, a member of the Chartered Institute of Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Economists; Chartered Institute of Commerce, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria (CPIN), Certified Accountant, Institute of Freight Forwarders, Institute of Management Consultants and the Institute of Business Executives.
Alhaji Rabiu has served the nation through various ministerial and presidential committees, notably the Presidential Cabotage implementation committee (where he served as the Chairman of the subcommittee on Finance), Ministerial Committee on the rehabilitation of the Nigerian Railway corporation, the Shipper’s protection advisory committee, etc.
Rabiu served as the facilitator of the Investments Climate and Competitiveness Policy Commission (ICCPC) of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) for five years and is now co – chair of the reformed Trade, Investments Climate and Competitiveness Policy Commission of the (NESG). He served as the Chairman of the Trade & Commerce National Technical Working Group of the Vision 2020. He is the alternate Chairman of the FIRST Kano State Economic Summit Planning Committee under the Chairmanship of Engineer Mansur Ahmed – the former DG of the NESG. Rabiu served as a member of the planning committee of the first Northern Nigeria Economic Summit and also a member of the Kano Business Incentives Committee of the Kano State Government.
Also at the state level, Rabiu is a member of the Kano State Economic Management Team and several other economic committees in the State. He is also a member of a special committee on security constituted after a stakeholders meeting of Kano Elders and Business Men after the security breaches in Kano of 20th January 2012.
Rabiu had served Kano state on its Privatization Committee and the Committee for the Restoration of Industrial and Commercial Glory of Kano State, he served as the chairman of the Kano Free Zone actualization committee. He is now a member of the Kano State Economic Management Team and several other economic committees in the State.
Rabiu served as a member of the Kano Business Revival Initiative Committee (KABRI) constituted by the Federal Ministry of Commerce. Serves regularly in the membership of various Kano State Government and the Federal Government from year 1990 to date.
He promoted the establishment of an Inland Dry Port in Kano which will in no small way facilitate trade in the hinterland and improve the economic fortunes of Kano State, its neighbors, Nigeria and the neighboring countries.
Rabiu is also an officer of the Nigeria Police Special Constabulary, is a member of board of trustees of Forward Nigeria – a non governmental organization for child and women development, member of peace forum – a non governmental organization on peace initiative, etc
Rabiu was Chairman, Union Bank Audit Committee, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Cargo Defence Fund and Pioneer National President of the Federation of Nigeria Shippers Associations (FONSA) (an affiliate of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council).
Rabiu pioneered the formation of Shippers Associations in Nigeria by first forming the Northern Shippers Consultative forum, later Kano/Jigawa Shippers Association and emerging as the pioneer National President of Nigerian Shippers General Assembly – the Federation of Nigerian Shippers Associations (FONSA). He has been a member of the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture for almost three decades. He served the Chamber in various committees and and also served as Treasurer of the Chamber and later as its first Deputy President and then President of the Chamber. He is currently the Chairman of the Conference of Northern States of Nigeria Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CONSCCIMA) and also National Vice President of NACCIMA. Rabiu is a Council member of the Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria. Alhaji Rabiu is widely traveled in the world.
