BARDE: When The Past Brings Appreciation @56
BY SIMON REEF MUSA
The child that would be known and called Yakubu Umar Barde was born on August 28, 1968 to Mr. and Mrs. Umar Barde in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Popularly known and called ‘No Shaking’, the footprints of his 56 years on earth are characterised by sterling marks of commitment and devotion to the service of humanity. In his five scores and six years of life, the former local government chairman, commissioner and lawmaker is a living testimony to God’s protection and unmerited favour over the years. Little wonder, Hon. Barde observed his 56th birthday in style, as he chose to celebrate with motherless babies in orphanages.
The young Yakubu was enrolled in school early at the LEA Primary School Chikun where he obtained his Primary First Leaving Certificate in 1979. Thereafter, he proceeded to the Sardauna Memorial College (SMC) from 1980 t0 1985. At the School of Basic Studies, ABU, Zaria, he sat for the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) in 1986, and got admission to read Agricultural Economics in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. After completing his studies in 1993, his quest for more academic laurels made him to return to the university where he acquired his M. Sc Agricultural Economics in 2002. He is currently undergoing his PhD programme at the same University.
His records of working career show that immediately he completed the one-year compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, he got appointed as the Supervisory Councilor/Deputy Chairman of the Chikun LGA, and was responsible for the day-to-day administration of the affairs of Chikun Local Government Council. At the end of his duty tour at the grassroots, he was appointed as commissioner by Governor Mohammed Ahmed Makarfi to oversee the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and later deployed to Health.
Hon. Barde would resign in 2002 to contest the House Representatives where he emerged victorious to represent Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency in 2003. Some of the House Committee membership he was appointed into included Aviation; Banking and Currency; Drugs and Narcotics; Sports; Emergency and Disaster Management; Integration and Cooperation in Africa; Solid Mineral Development; Finance; Economic and Financial Crimes; Public Petitions; Privatisation and Commercialisation; Land Transport; Agriculture; Industries; Narcotics and Financial Crimes; Army; Refineries and Petrol; Niger Delta; Youth Development and Media, among others.
On what propels him in life, Hon Barde declares: “I am propelled by the desire to contribute to the transformation of Nigeria into an egalitarian society where mutual respect, social justice, political equality and economic opportunities abound for the benefit of all. I am good in effective Planning, Initiation and Execution of sustainable projects for sustainable development. I am a results-orientated administrator and leader with proven abilities in developing policies to improve outcomes for represented interests”.
In appreciation of God’s favour and protection over his life, Barde embarked on visits to the less privileged, especially widows and orphans, to demonstrate his appreciation and identify with them. Among some of the places he visited with his entourage included the Blessed Touched Orphanage Home, Shelter in Christ Orphanage Home, Elizdominion Orphanage Home, Zion in Christ Orphanage Home, and Baba Bango Prayer Ministry (Widows). Barde donated bags of rice, packs of spaghetti, cartons of Indomie noodles, including cash gifts, to improve their living conditions, considering the economic situation in the country.
The former lawmaker expressed his joy and was full with joy for God’s favour in sparing his life to see another birthday in good health. According to him, “Expressing gratitude to God for me being 56th calls for thanksgiving and identifying with the less privileged of our society. In his words: I woke up on yet another day that tells me I am 56 years of age. Looking down memory lane, I cannot but be appreciative of God for the good health devoid of pains and challenges.
“Who has made all this possible? I have asked myself, where are Aliyu, Moses, etc., my schoolmates? They all have gone to be with the Creator. But, I’m still alive and healthy. I am blessed to have a roof over my head, with my mum still alive and praying for me. Is it because of my hard work? No, it has been the Almighty God who has blessed me and kept me through the perils of these past 56 years. Today, being my birthday, I want to return all honor, glory, and praise to God for His faithfulness and steadfast love upon my life”.
His years of service spanning his years at the grassroots administration and the National Assembly is indelible, taking into consideration the many honours and recognitions he has been bestowed with by various groups and associations. In his words, “In recognition of my works in philanthropy and Advocacy, I am a recipient of various Awards and Honours from various Institutions, associations and professional bodies in Nigeria and beyond. The most prominent of these awards is the Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) in Sustainable Management of Food Security by the Institut Superieur Billingue Libre Du Toga in 2019.
As Barde opens a new chapter in the story of his life, may the future be kind to him and may his deep appreciation to God for the past be a curtain raiser to yet another defining moment in a life that is dedicated to advancing the lives of his fellow countrymen and women through broadening Nigeria’s frontiers of democracy. Hon Barde, accept my belated happy birthday wishes, and may your vision for your people be strengthened in the years to come.
