… On the Road to 2015 (6)… THE PROFILE OF ALH. UMAR AHMED IMAM The MAN Alhaji Umar Ahmed Imam A.K.A Alfa Imam also known as ALFA JAMB was born to the family of Alhaji Umaru Shafiyi and Hajiya Hadiza Umaru (both late) of the Imam Shafiyi Family in the traditional Street of Ward D in Lokoja LGA on Saturday, the 10th of October, 1970. He attended Ma-ahadi L.S.M.B Primary School between 1978 to 1983 where he discovered his talent early in life as a creative personality. As someone who was a bookworm and skillfully determined to conquer the literary world, the School authority noticed this God’s gift in him and made him the Library Prefect. No doubt he became a cynosure of both his classmates and the teachers alike. Side by side his quest for western education, he was also doing his quranic education. On completion of his First School Leaving Certificate in 1983, young Imam had to stay at home for two major reasons. One to complete his quranic education, which was and still is a pre-condition for any child born in the family, to fulfill before getting into Secondary School. The second factor was finance. A major determining factor, considering his humble background. Challenged by the reality on ground and Inspired by those going to school while he was on that compulsory break, young Imam engaged himself in several ventures that were both economical and creative such as trading of several commodities to support his mother in his own little way and also engaged in the game of football and fine arts to pass time. He was very good in both activities and made a lot of friends cutting across the five electoral wards, that later in life shaped his interaction with the outside world as far as growing up was concerned. In 1986, he was offered admission into the Muslim Community Secondary School, Lokongoma, Lokoja where he was one of the brightest in his class, as evidenced in the comments of his Class Teachers as well as School Principal on his results when they described him as “All Rounder”. In fact, he was the Head Boy of his set. By 1992 he had completed his secondary school education and then came another challenge of sponsorship that required him to wait before getting admission into higher institution for further studies, an ambition he so very much worked hard for. Alas, fate had a different package for him. While his classmates were preparing for higher education, he was engaged by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Lagos to start a new life as Civil Servant. A fate he accepted against his ambition of becoming a scholar and an academic. It turns out that for 17 years that he served JAMB, God used him to affect the lives of his community (Lokoja) and all those that come his way, positively. While in service, his passion for his first love of being in the academics or at least equipping himself with some degree of education kept on resurfacing particularly his love for fine and creative arts, hence, he enrolled for a Certificate programme in Fine Arts in Yaba College of Technology, Lagos between 1997 and 1998 where he graduated with Merit. Having had that experience, his interest in getting further dose of the academics was ignited and so he applied for and was offered admission to study History and Strategic Studies in University of Lagos where he graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree, 2nd Class Hons (Upper Division) in 2008. Pursuant to his resolve to undertake a career in academics, he decided to withdraw his services with JAMB and enrolled for his Masters Degree between 2009 and 2010 where he graduated with Masters of Arts Degree in History and Strategic Studies. Consequently, and as a mark of his proven brilliance, he didn’t just complete his Masters Programme in the shortest period, he finished successfully with a Ph.D Grade. Spurred by this remarkable feat, he immediately opted for a Ph. D Programme as he is presently processing his admission. Giving his deep-rooted compassion for his Community’s development and progress, he choose to keep the academic pursuit in view to answer the clarion call, a responsibility he felt he hold his Community, so dearly. There is no gainsaying the fact that Alh. Umar Ahmed Imam is a man of humble disposition, honest, hardworking, development oriented, enterprising and filled with the fear of God. No wonder he is a man of many parts. Although a lover of several sporting activities, he was an active footballer in his active sporting days. He played for the following Football Clubs and attended several competitions within and outside the State. Some of the Clubs he played for include: • Allah Dey Babes F.C – 1985-1987, • Abtali United – 1987 – 1989, • Santos F.C – 1989, • Express United – 1989 – 1990, • Confluence F.C – 1990 – 1992. The Competitions he participated in includes: • Shaba Lafiagi Under 18 Competition tagged Okene ‘88(Runners up), • National Youth Gold Award Scheme in 1988. • Alwali Kazir Cup, Ilorin, ‘90 (Cup Winners), • Unity Cup,FEYSOC ’90, Lafiagi, • National Rahmat Cup ‘90 to mention a few. • National Youth Festival in 1990 in Ilorin, • Youth and Leadership Orientation (YIKPATA) Kwara State in 1991 In recognition of humanitarian services to his community, he had several awards of excellence bestowed on him few of which are mentioned here. • Excellent Award for Community Development by National Association of Lokoja LGA Students (NALLGS), Sept; 2005, • Award of Excellence by Old Students Association of Government Technical College, Lokoja, • Award of Leadership per Excellence by Rotaract Club of Lokongoma Central, District 9130 (Now 9125 Nigeria), Rotary International. His political inclination has always been tilted towards the Progressives, no wonder then that after due consultations, he has finally decided to pitch his tent with the All Progressive Congress (APC). He is making himself available to serve his beloved Constituency, the Lokoja I Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly come 2015, with God and the people by his side. He is happily married to Hajiya Hadiza and Hajiya Aisha and blessed with children.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 08:11:33 +0000
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