As natives of the FCT look up to the Tinubu administration to be the first to select an Abuja native to represent them in his cabinet to bring the government closer to the people, a media consultant and political analyst, Mathias Ifije, has urged Tinubu to select the most qualified people, saying experience and character should be considered as requisites.
Ifije who listed names like Amb. Ayuba Jacob Ngbako, Hon. Bitrus Zephaniah Jisalo, Hon. Zakari Angulu Dobi, and Sen. Usman Jubrin Wowo, said anyone among them could easily fit for the FCT ministerial position.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP at the weekend, he said; “For example, the experience of Amb. Ayuba Jacob Ngbako who is a grassroots politician speaks for itself. He was born in 1959 and is a Gbagyi native of the FCT. He has been an astute public servant and diplomat, having served as Nigeria’s ambassador to The Gambia. He has over 30 years of business and political experience.
“As a core native of the FCT, he attended L.E.A Primary School Garki and Government Secondary School, Abuja now Suleja. He also attended Zungeru College of Advanced Studies, the University of Sokoto, the University of Jos, and numerous capacity-building courses.
“He has a B.Sc in Science (Botany), PGD in Management, Advanced Diploma in Public Administration, Diploma in Business Studies, Certificate in International Trade, IJMB, WAEC/GCE, and Primary school certificates amongst others.”
According to Ifije, Ngbako was the first Executive Deputy Mayor of Abuja Municipal Area Council, executive chairman of AMAC, was also delegate to Constitutional Conference, and has served as executive director of Commercial Services, Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency(NEMSA). He was also a member, of the Technical Committee of the Nigerian Yam Export Programme.
“Before he joined the APC, Ngbako was the PDP FCT State Chairman and also an Ambassador/ High Commissioner to The Gambia. He was a Dean of Diplomatic, Consular Corps, and International Organizations Accredited to the Gambia.
“Amb. Ngbako was also very active during the last election where he served as the FCT State Coordinator for Tinubu Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council (GICC).”
According to the political analyst, Hon. Angulu Zakari was born in 1971 in Dobi, Gwagwalada Area Council of Abuja.
“He is a politician and has represented Kuje, Abaji, Gwagwalada, and Kwali Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja. Dobi attended Government Secondary School Dobi, where he sat for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). He proceeded to the University of Abuja and obtained a bachelor’s degree.
Ifije explained that Hon. Angulu was 2015 elected under the platform of the All Progressive Congress to represent the Kuje/Abaji/Gwagwalada/Kwali Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, and was a member of the House Committee on Electoral Matters and Political Policy.
Ifije described one of the former two-term chairman of AMAC, Hon. Zephaniah Jisalo as an astute politician who has what it takes to represent the natives of FCT as a minister.
“Jisalo has served as a lawmaker representing the AMAC/Bwari federal constituency in the House of Representatives. Jisalo who is an indigene of Garki, was born in 1970.
“He attended Garki Primary School, Abuja in 1982, and then proceeded to Government Technical College where he obtained his WAEC in 1991. In 1999, he obtained a Diploma certificate from the University of Jos. In 2009, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in education,” Ifije said
While speaking on Sen. Usman Wowo, Ifije said Wowo had served in various sectors of government, ranging from being a senator for nine months and also serving as special adviser to the government of Sen. Bala Mohammed, the former minister of the FCT.
“He was also a senior police officer with years of experience before he retired from the Police force as an Assistant Superintendent of Police and ventured into politics.
“With this caliber of politicians and others that I did not mention, by the grace of God, we are optimistic that one among them will be nominated by President Tinubu,” Ifije said.
