THE JOURNEY: BOLD STEPS THAT CHANGED THE STORYLINE

THE JOURNEY:
BOLD STEPS THAT CHANGED THE STORYLINE

Recently coronated as Agenyi Ata Igala with the salutation “Okooolo!!! The Chieftaincy title, Agenyi Ata is a very rare one in Igala Kingdom. It speaks volumes about how dear the title holder is to the Ata Igala, the Igala Kingdom and humanity in general. Scrutinized by the revered throne of His Royal Majesty, Agabaidu, Ata Igala, the special Chieftaincy title is considered and conferred only on distinguished personalities who stand out in sacrificial love, genuine care for mankind and the positive impact they make on their communities.

In view of the weight, depth and significance of Agenyi Ata Igala, the ARISE IGALA team made it a point to know more about the journey and personality of Alhaji Salisu Yaqub Abubakar who was on November 2, 2024 honoured with the special title from the Ata Igala Palace. In an EXCLUSIVE CHAT with ARISE IGALA, the journey of the man was narrated. And, as it is with most great men, it is a journey that commenced from a very humble beginning and through certain traits he exhibited (and still exhibiting), the storyline keep changing, for good.

THE HUMBLE BEGINNING
Born and bred in Oganenigwu in Dekina Local Government area of Kogi State, Yaqub attended both primary and secondary schools in his village. Born into a family that’s by the village standard then, a middle class, the young Yaqub grew up as a thorough bred because of his father’s disciplinary nature. He was also privileged by time and chance to have served as a Sales Representative to one Mr. Matthew Anigbo whom his own father brought to their village to establish a pharmaceutical business – Mr. Matthew instilled in him a great sense of financial literacy and discipline – both his father’s disciplinary nature and the experience with Mr. Matthew would play vital roles in his future adventures as he was growing.

Graduating from the secondary school in flying colours, he had a dream of pursuing his university education. He attempted admission into Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, it didn’t materialized. Next, he moved to Bayero University, Kano, again, it wasn’t successful. Not giving up, he tried University of Jos, and that, too, didn’t turn out positive. So, he returned home and joined his elder brother in Karu, FCT. In all, about four years went by without realizing his academic dream at the time.

FROM KARU TO FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NASARAWA
After waiting for too long and years passing by, young Yaqub took a decision that will change his situation academically. Without bothering his elder brother, he left for Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa to seek admission. He landed on the campus a complete stranger, he knew no one there but was confident he was going to be successful. Moving around, he stumbled on one office where lots of students brought their complains and challenges to a particular man and so, he concluded in his mind that the man could provide solution hence the multitude of students. So, he joined them too even though he wasn’t a student at the time. Getting to his turn, he opened up straight to the man in charge, one Mr. Abdullahi and told him he desired to be a student of the institution but had no body except God and him. The man was challenged and took it upon him as a must-fulfilled-task and luckily, two weeks later, the dream came real as he was admitted to study Computer Science. He did and emerged again with very good result.

After sometimes, the quest to further his education continued. Young Yaqub turned down an admission offer from Federal Polytechnic Kaduna and decided to move to university of Maiduguri (Uni Maid). Again, at Uni Maid, he knew no one but was courageous to repeat the technic that worked for him in the past – he approached one Dr. Ogedegbe who was the Secretary to the then Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Mustapha Mohammed – it was a similar scenario like that of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa; many students were on him for issues to be resolved. So, getting to his turn, he boldly told the man that he knew God before coming to Uni Maid and now, he has met him and he is the only person that can help him out. Again, graciously, the man took responsibility offering him admission first into Department of Mathematics but he was screened a step down to year one instead of year two. He returned to complain and he was again offered Electrical Electronics Engineering but the same situation happened and more, he went back and for the third time, he was offered Economics and the same thing repeated again. This time, very confused and worried but after early morning prayers, he was encouraged to go to the Head of Department. He did and after presenting his case, he was directed to meet someone who confirmed him officially and screened him into year two. As if that was not the end, his first lecture was taken by the man who screened him down to year one earlier. In an attempt to embarrass or to let him know he was not fit for year two directly, the man after his lecture called him out and asked him to solve an equation. He did and amazingly, it was well done and that was how the man let him continued with the direct admission into the Department of Economics, University of Maiduguri.

LIFE EXPERIENCE INSPIRED ALHAJI SALISU YAQUB ABUBAKAR INTO CHARITY
He has been there at the bottom of life economically. He had a memorable primary school experience where he went to school for a period with tore shots. Because of the condition of his uniform then, he will stay late after school before heading home and that lasted for a while. So, he knew what life could be when it bites hard and hot. He prayed and asked God to bless him to be a blessing to as many as his blessings could affect positively and that was it till now. God has been faithful and Yaqub’s efforts to keep to his promise to God Almighty has been steadfast. He has undergraduates across different universities that he supports with school fees and in other other academic areas, too. Most of them he doesn’t know and they are randomly selected based on needs of the target beneficiaries.

So far, the journey has been great with special thanks to God Almighty and a very supportive wife. The wife supports him in touching lives meaningfully. They don’t discriminate in their home – the orphans staying with them and others attend same school as their children’s. That was possible because the wife supports him very well so they can be channel of blessings to as many as they are blessed to support in life.

The charity efforts has been there and he prayed it continues so long as God blesses him. He had an experience he would never forget as part of his sacrificially giving – he supported a fellow student to return to school with his last Kobo for an examination and then hunger stepped in immediately. While in that situation, a file was given to him by one Ambassador Yakubu, he was not tempted to demand for money but did the job the right way as a staff of Abuja Geographical Information System. The ambassador was shocked and was moved to ask more about him and from there on, he prayed for him and blessed him. That was God in action and the young Yaqub’s faith in God was reinforced. He was encouraged to do more and to be fair in dealings.

ON CAREER PROGRESSION
Starting from the lower cadre, level 6, by the grace of God, Alhaji Yaqub is today at the management level. As a junior innocent staff, young Yaqub had an encounter that would changed his future when he met Dr. Babangida Aliyu, then Permanent Secretary at the defunct Ministry of Federal Capital Territory. The man later became Executive Governor of Niger State. One day he visited Yaqub’s office and the innocent young man does not even know the Permanent Secretary neither does he know the power of the office – so, he greeted casually and Dr. Babangida noticing his young age and innocence, asked of his education and eventually granted him study leave with pay and that enabled him to further his education to the university.

With various postings from the defunct Ministry of Federal Capital Territory to Pension Office, to Justice, to Head of Service and then to Finance and posted out again and then returned to Finance where he met a mentor Dr. M.K. Dikwa. For his good works, Dr. Dikwa loved Alhaji Yaqub and then took special interest in him. And, Yaqub served at a point as his Technical Adviser.

THE UNEXPECTED CHIEFTAINCY TITLE OF AGENYI ATA IGALA
The Agenyi Ata Igala, Alhaji Salisu Yaqub Abubakar narrated to the ARISE IGALA team that he wasn’t expecting any Chieftaincy title. He was called up by the Ata Igala Palace on a special request by a group of students who are beneficiaries of his silent charity works. He consulted close friends and associates who encouraged him to accept the title as it’s from the Ata Igala. It’s a blessing and a prayer as well. So, on the 2nd of November, 2024, he was beaded at the coronation ceremony as Agenyi Ata Igala with the salutation “Okooolo!!!”

For those who made the request on his behalf, he is grateful as he does not even know them or their names at the time. It’s also a lesson for one to be good to all without discrimination.

FAMILY LIFE
Married to a lovely woman who is his best friend today. Alhaji Yaqub and his lovely wife are blessed with four lovely children and they are a great source of joy to them.