Barewa Old Boys Association honours renowned Nigerians for national service
The Barewa Old Boys Association (BOBA) has recognised the exceptional contributions of distinguished individuals, including former Minister of Finance Alhaji Abu Gidado, eminent legal luminary Alhaji Aliyu Alarape Salman, and Doctor Akpaka Kalu, and 21 others in recognition of their contributions to national development and service to humanity.
They were honoured at the annual Barewa Lecture and Awards ceremony, attended by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, and business mogul, Alhaji Abdulmutallab, among other top dignitaries.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who delivered the public lecture on “Investing in Nigeria’s Greatest Asset” as the keynote speaker, is also an old boy of Barewa College.
Alhaji Gidado, described as an incorruptible Minister for his exemplary lifestyle during the military administration of General Sani Abacha, was a former commissioner for finance and the Deputy Chairman, State Executive Council, akin to a Deputy Governor, in the old Kaduna State during the military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) in the 70s.
Born in Katsina on April 2, 1940, Alhaji Gidado was once the Retail Manager (North) Shell Nigeria Limited; General Manager, Arewa Textiles Limited and later, Deputy Managing Director, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN).
Alhaji Gidado’s past assignments include Member of Board of Directors, Peugeot Automobiles; Member of the Board of Directors, Arewa Textiles; Member of the Board of Governors, Kaduna Polytechnic; Chairman, Katsina State Water Board; Chairman of Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC); Member, Board of Directors, DPMS/IBM; and Deputy Chairman at the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
Others honoured at the event included Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, former Kwara State Governor; Doctor Akpaka Kalu Akpaka, a public health practitioner with the World Health Organisation (WHO); Professor Lawrence Ageyeman Sereboe, a Ghanaian Professor of Cardiothorocic Surgery; Alhaji lbrahim Aminu, Managing Director of Ashaka Cement and Doctor Hayatu Atiku Awwal, Managing Director of Federal Housing Authority Mortgage Bank Limited.
Meanwhile, the likes of Ahmed Metteden, Aliyu Makama Bida, Suleiman Barau, Sa’adu Zungur, Jimada Pategi, Dr. Abdulrahman Okene, Nuhu Bamali, Inuwa Wada, Ibrahim Tako Galadima, A.D. Rufa’I, Dr. LJ.D. Durlong, lbrahim Dancida and Chief Sunday Awoniyi were all honoured posthumously.
Other alumnae who were honoured posthumously include Yahaya Hamza, Brig-Gen David Bamigboye and Doctor lbrahim Tahir.
Founded in 1921 by British Governor-General, Hugh Clifford, Barewa College is one of the largest boarding schools in Northern Nigeria and was one of the most celebrated post-primary schools in the country.
The Barewa Old Boys Association is reputed to have as members some of the best brains in the northern elite class. The association parades former Military Heads of State, Presidents, Governors, Military Leaders, Ministers, CBN Governors, Chief Justices of the Federation and others who have excelled in the private sector and public service.
National icons like the Premier of Old Northern Nigeria and Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji (Sir) Ahmadu Bello; first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, first Executive President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari and President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua are some of the most prominent products of the College.
Other prominent alumnae of the College include two Military Heads of State – General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and Late General Murtala Mohammed – two Sultans of Sokoto – Ibrahim Dasuki and Sa’adu Abubakar – and a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Bello, among others.
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