The Man: Alhaji (Dr.) Yusuf Mohammed Agabi, (Durbin Lafia) FCA is a practical example of a distinct technocrat, accountant, philanthropist, an astute politician, an ambassador for peace and above all a man of many parts who dares where others dread.
Agabi was born in a little but promising village generally known as Agyaragu, the drums did not roar neither did the trumpets sound. His birth was ordinary just like many others in the village.
He experienced want and hardship and suffered several deprivations. But the young man rather than surrender to despair, he took the suffocating and challenging childhood experience which ordinary should have subdued him as a tonic that propelled him to greater heights. This was also to shape his life, his future and his career. He broke off from the bondage of want and hardship through sheer brilliance, perseverance and hard work.
Alh. (Dr.) Yusuf Mohammed Agabi knew what he wanted and he had a destiny to change the fortune of Nasarawa State for the benefit of all and sundry. He believed and embraced Williams Jennings Bryan’s advice; “destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice not something to be waited for but rather something to be achieved.”
Alh. (Dr.) Yusuf Mohammed Agabi was born in Agyaragu in May 27th, 1957. He began his formal education in Roman Catholic Missionary School, Agyaragu from 1967-1973. He later attended St. Augustine Teachers College, Lafia from 1974-1977. His quest for self actualization and thirst for higher education saw him gain admission into the famous Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1980 where he obtained Diploma in Accounting and thereafter proceeded to have his 1st degree in accountancy in the year 1981 in the same institution. He later bagged an MBA in Management and Finance from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in the year 2000.
The young Agabi served the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Plateau State between 1984 and 1985 at Jos Steel Rolling Mill.
Alh. (Dr.) Yusuf Mohammed Agabi started his rising working career in Jos Steel Rolling Company Limited in 1980 as an Assistant Accountant. He shortly rose up from the position of Accountant II to Accountant I in 1985 and later worked in the Plateau State Investment Company, Jos. Thereafter, Agabi transferred his service to Joshua C. Dariye & Co Chartered Accountants, Jos as the Audit Manager from 1986-1989.
Between 1990-1997 Alh. (Dr.) Yusuf Mohammed Agabi worked at the Benue Cement Company PLC – Obajana Cement Company – an organization owned and operated by Dangote Group. During his stay in the organization he worked in various capacities such as the Accountant (Stock Control), the Accountant (Sales Account), the Accountant (Book Keeping and Accounts), the Chief Financial Accountant and the Chief Management Accountant.
From 1997-2000 Agabi transferred back to Joshua C. Dariye & Co Chartered Accounts as a Senior Accountant. In may 2000-2003 he also worked at the Abuja Investment Company in a Consulting agreement while he was engaged in the Federal Civil Service Commission in the pool of the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Abuja where he rose through rank and file to become Deputy Director (transfer of service) from 2001 – 2005.
In 2006, the season administrator became a Director in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation and from 2006 – 2009, he worked as the Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) at the Federal Ministry of Education, having served in various ministries before his voluntary retirement in December, 2013.
Our gem; Alh. (Dr.) Yusuf Mohammed Agabi initiated AGABI FOUNDATION to cater for the educational and economic needs of the common people. His love for education made him to established YUMACO INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE, LAFIA. He is a promoter of sport activities, especially football, this made him to be organizing yearly football competition in the entire Nasarawa South Senatorial District; otherwise known as “Agabi Trophy”.
As a philanthropist and humane, Agabi has so far many National and International Awards to his credit among which includes Ambassador for Peace from Inter-religious and International Federation for World Peace – United Nations Affiliate Organization, the Outstanding Staff for Account Division from Benue Cement Company, Gboko in 1993, the Outstanding Sectional Head of the Month from Benue Cement Company , Gboko in 1994, the Football Ambassador from Benue State Sport Council in 1997, the ICON of Good Leadership from Ahmadu Bello University Students Union Government, the Hero of Youths’ Development from Nasarawa State Students Association (NASSA), University of Jos Chapter, National Merit Award from National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Award of Excellence Service to Humanity from National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) to mention but a few. He is a Patron of several reputable Organizations and member of many Professional bodies. He was made the Durbin Lafia by His Royal Highness, the Emir of Lafia among others traditional titled from various Chiefdom of Nasarawa State.
Alh. (Dr.) Yusuf Mohammed Agabi as a Politician started his intimidating Political career in 2011 as a strong contender for Nasarawa South Senatorial seat ticket under the platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) before he was persuaded to step down.
There is a popular adage in Hausa that says “Wanni Hanni Ga Allah Baiwa” meaning every disappointment is blessing from God. Alh. (Dr.) Yusuf Mohammed Agabi as a God sent personality contested and won Governorship ticket of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State. He is currently aspiring to be the next Governor of Nasarawa State under the platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from 29th may, 2015 based on the existing vacancy in Government House, Lafia. His vision is to build a peaceful and industrialized Nasarawa State of our collective dream for the present and indeed future generations.
Finally, as a Concerned Citizen of Nasarawa State, I humbly solicit for the cooperation and support of the entire citizens of Nasarawa State to vote massively for Alh. (Dr.) Yusuf Mohammed Agabi in the forth coming Governorship election, the Choice of God and Hope for both rural and urban people come April 11, 2015. He has many years of experience, knowledge and exposure managing human and material resources successfully. He is happily married and blessed with children.
Comrade Idris A. Adamu,
President/CEO,
CCONS & ASSOCIATES VENTURES,
08039553220.