By Muhammed Nasiru
The Ejeh Ankpa IV, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed Yakubu was born into the family of Late Ejeh Ahmadu Yakubu on the 9th day of April, 1978 in Kano State, North-west Nigeria. Alhaji Abubakar descends from a lineage marked with combination of royal blood and humanitarian service. Kings and philanthropists are found among his forebears as his father, the Late Ejeh Ahmadu Yakubu hails from the great Atiyele Omá Idoko dynasty of Igala Kingdom while his mother, Late Hajiya Rabi Yakubu (Nee Usman) hails from the family of Late Alhaji Usman Abubakar, a renowned fish farmer cum philanthropist of Angwa origin in Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State.
He started his early life with a Primary Education at the Magwan Special Primary School, Kano, from 1983 to 1988 and a secondary education at the prestigious Goverment Secondary School, Kawaji, Kano State between 1989 to 1994. Upon the completion of his secondary education, the young Prince who was destined to later become King took a short break to work and support his father, the Late Ejeh Ahmadu Yakubu as his Personal Assistant. By the virtue of his jurisdictions as a Personal Assistant, he was literally in charge of protocols, managing traditional engagements, planning visits and interfacing with high level stakeholders which no doubt, exposed him to the aura of royalty.
After about six years of diligent service in the Palace cum his determination to acquire a very sound education, Alhaji Abubakar proceeded to the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu where he bagged a first degree — Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Business Administration between the year 1999 to 2004. He thereafter proceeded to Meridian College Greenwich, London for his postgraduate studies in Management Information System (MIS) between 2006 to 2007.
Being a self motivated, highly enthusiastic, digitally inclined and professionally groomed young man with sufficient industrious acumen which he was willing to utilize; He was in 2008 employed as a pioneer sales representative staff of Abercrombie & Fitch UK Limited, a couture firm in London targeted at American Collegiate style clothing to willing British customers. He was part of the team that developed live model in-store mannequins. This initiative attracted more customers, boosted sales and led to his team opening up more Abercrombie flagship stores across other European countries.
In 2010, he resigned from Abercrombie & Fitch UK Limited in London and returned to Nigeria to join the ZUMA Energy Nigeria Limited(a member of the ETA – ZUMA GROUP) as Business Development Manager. He was responsible for preparing both action and business plans for licenses, permit and liaising with Power sector Stakeholders towards the success of the company’s long term lease operations which were three coal mining sites in Kogi State, two 1200MW Coal fired power plant in Itobe, Kogi State and a 400MW Gas fired power plant in Egbema, Imo state.
Impressed by his competent performance as Business Development Manager of the ZUMA Energy Limited between 2010 and 2012, he was transferred to another member company of the ETA – ZUMA GROUP called Zuma Infrastructure Management Company (ZIMCO) Nigeria Limited in August, 2012. He resumed as the company’s Project Coordinator and his landmarks in this capacity was engaging foreign investors from Russia, China, Korea and India for the company’s rail projects on B. O. T basis with Nigeria Railway Corporation(NRC). He also facilitated Federal Government’s approval of the Company’s railway development project.
In 2016, he resigned to start his personal consultancy firm as the Principal Partner to the partners he Co founded it with. Having cut a niche for himself in the private sector over time, his current private sector engagement include; Managing Director of Ashkar Integrated Services Limited, Executive Director of Business Development in an Information Communications Technology company, Softcom. He is also a Board Director at Maidpro Nigeria Limited as well as Acceloron Technologies Limited.
In the course of his growth and career in life, Alhaji Abubakar also attended courses on Business Analysis, Strategy and Management; Leadership and Decision Making; Private Sector Investment in Nigerian Railway Sector; National Policy on Public Private Private Partnership (N4P) as well as Proficiency Training In Management. He is a Member of the United Kingdom (UK) Institute of Management Information Systems (IMIS).
Alhaji Abubakar’s philosophy to life is the equality of all men before God. He believes in the possibility of change occurring at any time, he has a firm belief in the reality of people’s dreams and has always disposed himself as a catalyst to the growth of many youths. His words are his bond and He has been using his networks to facilitate assistances within his might for many young people within and outside Kogi State. The aged and people living with disabilities (PLWD) are also not left out of his humanitarian services as he has been positively affecting their lives through partnership with both local and international Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) to render them aides.
He is a recipient of several awards of excellence from different bodies that take into cognizance his philanthropic gestures, selfless services to both God and humanity. Most recent of these honors are Award of stewardship in recognition of his philanthropic service to humanity by coalition of progressive political parties in Kogi State, Board Membership Certificate of Kogi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture. Others include a humanitarian award presented to him by Omataina empire, a plaque of honour from the author of “the Buhari in us” etc.
Alhaji Abubakar was a cherished child of his father, Late Ejeh Ahmadu Yakubu. More so that he is known for a strength of character and humility, his announcement as the fourth Ejeh Ankpa on Thursday 21st October, 2021 reinvigorated his father by signaling an uninterrupted continuity between his and his father’s reigns. Even though his emergence comes like a surprise, becoming Ejeh Ankpa is a role posterity had earlier prepared him for when he served as his father’s Personal Assistant.
He has traveled across many continents of the world and in the course of these travels visited UK, Germany, Kenya, Russia, India, Qatar, USA, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Australia, Spain, Turkey etc. His hobbies are charity works, reading and intelligent interactions. Alhaji Abubakar is a practicing Muslim, and he is happily married with children.
Indeed, it’s a new dawn in Ankpa. As he said in his note of appreciation and acceptance of appointment as Ejeh Ankpa IV, “He will bequeath a greater Ankpa to generations to come”. All hail His Royal Highness… Agaaaaaaaagwu!!!
Muhammed Nasiru is a public policy analyst, commentator and opinion moulder. He can be reached on naadejohs@gmail.com