The man, Ibrahim Balarabe Kagara
Born 5th January 1977 to peasant parents of strong Islamic beliefs, Ibrahim Balarabe, indigene of Rafi Local Government Area Council of Niger State, strikes easily and clearly as a young man of immense brilliance and astounding political weight, despite his relative biological age!
Married with children, Ibrahim, currently the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State, started off as a primary school teacher in his Rafi Local Government Council, before venturing into politics where he was made at various times between December 2015 and March 2019, the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Local Governments, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs; Ministry of Works and Infrastructural Development; and Ministry of Finance. He was also at a time Acting Chairman, Niger State Internal Revenue Service, Secretary, Finance Committee, Niger State All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Campaign Council; and Director, Finance and Accounts, Abubakar Sani Bello Campaign Organisation. He was at a time Director, Paxmain Projects Nigeria Limited, a private projects sourcing, finance and execution venture.
A little earlier, Ibrahim was the candidate, Niger State House of Assembly for Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Rafi Local Government; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mai Bariki Global Investment Nigeria Ltd; Deputy Zonal Coordinator, Zone B, IBB Campaign Office and Company Secretary, Jibal Investment Nigeria Ltd.
His professional experience in the field of accounting practice is equally noteworthy, starting with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Sokoto state, where he underwent his mandatory one-year national service as a Youth Corps member after concluding his four-year course in Accounting at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
Ibrahim attended Central Primary School, Kagara and Government College, Bida for his secondary education before proceeding to BUK where he obtained his BSc Accounting in 2003; Master of Treasury Management (2007); and Master of Business Administration (2010).
His professional qualifications and experience are just as intimidating! He is a Fellow, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN, 2017); Member, Chattered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria ( ACTI, 2016); Member, ANAN, 2016; Fellow, Chattered Financial Analyst, 2012; Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria (2010); Associate Member, Institution of Treasury Management and Financial Accountants (2005); and Certificate, Management Information Systems, BUK, 2002.
His core personal traits include ability to work independently and make decisive, problem-solving initiatives across administrative and corporate fields; ability to adapt to varying circumstances, strong analytical and numerical skills, solid computer skills, excellent communication ability and unparalleled dedication to whatever course(s) he believes in!
Ibrahim’s skills include reading, playing and table tennis.
