Dynamic, proactive, and result-oriented are some of the few adjectives to describe Mohammad Abubakar, a holder of Ph.D. in Watersheds Management at the University of Arizona, Tucson in the United States of America.
No one knew what the former chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission had in his bag in terms of innovations until President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him a Minister to oversee the affairs of a seemingly ‘inactive’ Ministry of Environment.
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He was one of the 44 federal cabinet members sworn in by the president on August 21, 2019, in Abuja.
His ideas which re-energized the environment ministry and brought it to life was one of the virtues that made Buhari deploy him to the Ministry of Agriculture.
He replaces the sacked 75-year-old Sabo Nanono, who was notorious for making inflammatory and taking ridiculous actions, details about him is available at: https://infomediang.com/muhammad-sabo-nanono-biography
Who is Mohammad Abubakar?
- Full Name: Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar
- Date of Birth: December 30, 1958
- State of Origin: Kaduna
Intimidating Educational Qualifications:
Born in Tudun Wada, Kaduna South of Kaduna State over six decades ago, Abubakar studied at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and bagged a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology with a bias in Biology.
He went ahead for a Master’s Degree in Resources Management at Central Washington University, a private research university in the United States.
As if that was not enough, the young, brilliant, and ambitious man, who would later be a lawmaker proceeded to the University of Arizona, Tucson in the USA for his Ph.D. and his research work focuses on Watersheds Management.
Overseas Working Experience:
At a time, he was the Environmental Health Inspector at Kittitas Country (Health Dept.) in Washington, USA.
At the University of Arizona, he worked as a Research and Teaching Assistant, and at E&A Environmental Services Los Angeles, California as an Environmental professional (Industrial Hygienist).
He also worked as an Industrial Waste Investigator at the Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle, USA.
Home Working Experience:
On his return to Nigeria, he served as a Microbiologist at NNPC Kaduna Refinery, Kaduna, for his one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
At the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Agency, he was once the Director of Planning, Research, and Evaluation.
He also lectured briefly at Water Resources Research Institute, Kaduna, and also volunteered to work with the United Nations Association, Seattle Washington DC, USA, as an Environmental consultant.
He was the former Chairman Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) until his appointment as a minister
Journey Into Politics:
He dived into the deep sea of Nigerian politics beginning his political career at the Kaduna State House of Assembly as a lawmaker, where he chaired and served in some critical committees.
He has been an unrepentant supporter of Muhammadu Buhari and when the opportunity came to help Buhari achieve his presidential dream he joined the Buhari Support Group, and also served as Kano State CPC Caretaker Committee Chairman.
When several political parties came together to form now the ruling party, he was the Deputy Director Field operations of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
Not just that, he also served as Director Buhari Support Groups in the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), and as the National Chairman Buhari Support Organisation.
Awards:
During his scholarly journey to the United States, he was received the University of Arizona 1989 Departmental Scholarship of academic excellence- Doctoral Research Scholarship.
Professional Bodies
Mohammad Abubakar is a member of several professional bodies at home and abroad some of them include:
- National Environmental Health Association, USA,
- National Association of Environmental Profession
- United Nations Association,
- Industrial Pollution Abatement committee Kaduna
- National Environmental Society, Nigeria (NES)
Challenges:
One of his trying moments was when he also tasted insecurity in the hands of kidnappers who ambushed him on April 30, 2019.
Mahmood Abubakar, was kidnapped along Abuja-Kaduna Highway. He wasn’t alone, his daughter, Yasmin, was also kidnapped. His driver wasn’t lucky, he was reportedly shot dead on the spot.
He was swiftly released. Nigerians alleged that a huge sum was paid saying:
if a kidnapped police officer could pay ransom to regain freedom from criminal armed gunmen, who is the UBEC chairman not to pay millions as ransom.
Police denied that ransom was paid
5 Innovations In His Previous Portfolio:
On assumption of office as the Minister of Environment on August 2019 till September 1, 2021, some of his achievements can be summed up as thus:
1) He breathed energy and valour into ministry by making departments focus on achieving a specific goal. One of them is Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
Through this, he directed his attention to the leadership of oil and gas host communities and other stakeholders to put preventive measures in place in order to end illegal bunkering and refining that pollute the environment.
2) In August 2021, he set out a path of establishing a Centre of Excellence for ecological restoration and an Integrated Contaminated Soil Management Centre in Ogoniland
3) Began data collection activity with flag-off of free medical outreach in Ogoni, the area mostly imparted by oil exploration.
4) He rein-vigour the Department of Climate Change (DCC) of the Ministry of Environment to implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement.
5) And finally, showed transparency in the award of contract in the environment.
The Man For The Job
At the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as the Chief Manager, he isn’t a novice in agric-related issues considering his qualifications and years of experience in the United States.
He is an expert in Natural Resource Management like land, soil, forest, and water posture and Domestic Solid waste, Rural water supply management design, and implementation.
He is succeeded by Alh. Abubakar Kyari as Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.
My name is harisu Santana abdulrahman I have a good contribution’s which I can give to the ministry of agriculture. I studied bsc biology, at the sometimes works with national union of road transport workers.