By Abubakar Imam
All roads would on Wednesday (April 24, 2024) lead to the Main Auditorium of the nation’s most sought-after University, the University of Ilorin, as its Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies (CPSS) confers the award of Peace Ambassador on selected distinguished Nigerians. These honourees are drawn from different places and endeavours from allover Nigeria.
Six deserving personalities are scheduled to be honoured at a ceremony to be presided-over by a distinguished scholar and administrator, Prof. Suleiman Olatunji Adeyemi, who, many years ago, served as the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State. The Vice Chancellor of the University, who is also the Secretary-General of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU), Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, would be the Chief Host.
Among those to be honoured are three eminent indigenes of Ilorin Emirate. They are the Wambai of Ilorin and former Chief of Staff, Presidency, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR; the Dan Iyan of Ilorin and topnotch of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engr Suleiman Bolakale Kawu, FNSE; and the Matron of the Western Zone of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Hajiya Fatimah Toyin Shuaibu.
There is no doubt in the fact that the Director of the Centre, who is also a Member of the Governing Council of the Kwara State University, Malete, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ibrahim Jawondo, and his team did a very good job in coming up with the list of these awardees.
The forthcoming event is indeed another way of ensuring convergence of progressiveness between the gown and the town. Prof. Jawondo, who is a former Director, Centre for Ilorin Studies (CILS) of the University, is becoming an expert in the exposure of ivory-tower to the town and vice-versa as he is bent on repeating his monumental CILS accomplishments at the CPSS.
The three patriots, just like others, deserve the honour in view of their numerous contributions to the promotion of peace among the heterogeneous people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They have all impacted positively though through different endeavours.
But this piece is essentially on one of the “Ilorin trio”, who, by my estimation, is the least known. In fact, since the news of the ceremony became public knowledge, a number of my compatriots have called to ask me about her roots and pedigree.
This woman is a patriot in her own right. She is a beacon of patriotism and business acumen with a career spanning decades across real estate, surveying, oil and gas, and general entrepreneurship.
Born over half a century ago in the ancient city of Ilorin, renowned for its legacy of tranquility and scholarship, Hajiya Shuaibu has carved a distinguished path for herself.
Her father was Alhaji Shuaibu Umar Sakama, a member of the famous Khalifa Sakama family of Ilorin, while her mother, who hailed from Ijeshaland, in the present-day Osun State, was Alhaja Aminat Abebi Shuaibu. The two are deceased.
Though proudly rooted in her native Ilorin, this award-winning business magnate currently resides in Osogbo, the historic capital of Osun State, since the conclusion of her participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Hajiya Shuaibu’s educational journey began at St. Williams Primary School, Ilorin, where she completed her studies in 1980. She then attended Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, Ilorin, obtaining her West African School Certificate in 1985. At the school, which is the premier Girls College in Northern Nigeria, Hajiya Shuaibu was a contemporary of the newly-promoted Professor of Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin, Saudat Salah-Abdulbaqi, fnipr; and the Director of Medical Services, Kwara State University, Malete, who is also the author of the increasingly popular “Ilorin Medicine”, Dr Nimot Bola Idris.
Subsequently, the new UNILORIN Peace Ambassador pursued further education at the Kwara State College of Technology (now Kwara State Polytechnic), Ilorin, graduating with an Ordinary National Diploma in Estate Management in 1989. Continuing her academic pursuits, she earned her Higher National Diploma from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, in 1992.
Following her academic achievements, Hajiya Shuaibu embarked on a career path marked by excellence and dedication. She commenced her professional journey as a youth corps member at Goke Omigbodun Architects/Estate Surveyor and Valuer Computer Aids Company, Osogbo, between 1992 and 1993. Her talents and commitment led to her promotion to the position of Osogbo Branch Manager at Bimbola Onisabi & Co., Lagos, where she served until 1999.
Venturing into entrepreneurship, Hajiya Shuaibu established Amirah International Ventures, engaging in large commodity trading, including cement and car dealership, catering for government agencies and corporate entities. She later founded New Century Estate Services, Osogbo, in November 1999, where she served as Principal Partner until October, 2009.
Her involvement in the energy sector saw her served as Dealer of the Mobil Petrol Station, Itaolokan, Osogbo, from 2002 to 2007. This was followed by her tenure as Managing Director of New Century Oil, Osogbo, from January 2008 to date.
In 2009, Hajiya Shuaibu assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of New Century Global Signatures Nigeria Limited while concurrently serving as Managing Partner at Toyin Shuaib & Associates, a position she holds to date. Hajiya Shuaibu’s early immersion into business precluded further academic pursuits, yet she remains a mentor to numerous Associate members and Fellows in the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, particularly in the Osun State Branch.
Recognised for her altruism and commitment to community development, Hajiya Shuaibu has received numerous accolades, including the State of Osun Award of Excellence for Philanthropy and Selfless Support, and an Award of Excellence for dedication, commitment, and contributions to societal growth. She holds over a hundred Islamic titles and awards across various states, reflecting her enduring dedication to the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) and other communities.
A devout and humble individual, Hajiya Shuaibu serves as the Matron of several organisations, including the Osogbo National Students Union and the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, among others. She also holds the esteemed position of Asiwaju Adinni at the Osun State chapter of the Al-Fathiu Quareeb Islamic Society of Nigeria.
As an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (ANIVS) and a Registered Member of the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board (RSV), Hajiya Shuaibu embodies excellence in her field.
Her remarkable achievements extend beyond business to her role as a peace-builder and community leader. She holds the distinction of being the first and only woman thus far to jointly preside over the opening ceremonies of two editions of the annual national conference of IEDPU, a testament to her distinction and influence.
May I, therefore, commend the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, for drawing out this outstanding lady for celebration in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the society. I also congratulate Hajiya Shuaibu on her well-deserved award as I wish her many more years of quality and rewarding services to Allah and humanity.
Imam is the National Secretary, Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union.
