Adamu Bello

Adamu Bello
Adamu Bello

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
In office February 2001 – January 2007
Preceded by	Sani Daura
Federal Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources
In office January 2007 – May 2007
Succeeded by	Abba Sayyadi Ruma
Personal details
Profession	Banker, Politician

Adamu Bello (born May 20, 1951) is a Nigerian technocrat who headed his country's Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2001 to 2007. He also headed the consolidated Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources from January to May 2007.

Biography and Background

Mallam Adamu Bello was born on 20 May 1951 in Numan, Adamawa State. Born to Justice Mohammed Bello, he had a comfortable childhood with a complete education. Justice Bello died in 1956 leaving young Adamu to be taken care of by his oldest brother, Justice Aminu Bello. Mallam Adamu Bello is married to a pharmacist, Mrs Lubabatu Bello and has six children.

Education

Mallam Bello holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1975). He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree from University of Pittsburgh (1982) where he was invited to the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Fraternity. He also proceeded to the famous Harvard Business School to earn a Certificate in the Advanced Management Program (AMP) in 1990.

Banking career

An accomplished banker, Mallam Bello started his career in 1976 as an Investment Executive with the New Nigerian Development Company (NNDC). Between 1976 and 1981, he rose to become the General Manager of New-Devco Finance, a subsidiary of NNDC. In 1983, Mallam Bello joined Habib Bank as Deputy Managing Director and rose to become Managing Director and Chief Executive in 1988. He held the position until 1994. During his time at Habib Bank, the bank rose to become the best rated private bank in the country and ninth overall. He then proceeded to become a financial adviser, a real estate mogul and major shareholder in numerous ventures until his nomination as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Intercity Bank Plc in 1998. This was then followed by his appointment as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Habib Nigeria Bank Ltd in 1999. Having been the first indigenous Chief Executive Officer of the company, he knew the direction of the bank and served to his full capacity. It was from this position that he received his nomination as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in January 2001. Having reached the pinnacle of his banking career, he accepted the national assignment. Habib Bank merged with Platinum Bank in December 2005 to form Bank PHB. Intercity Bank also merged to become Unity Bank Plc under the banking industry consolidation exercise.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Mallam Adamu Bello became the honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in February 2001. During Mallam Bello’s tenure, the Ministry become a true force in regulating and ensuring the attractiveness of the Nigerian agricultural sector. There has also been the invitation of numerous agricultural experts to improve the operation of the sector in general. The general positive direction of the agricultural sector reinforced President Obasanjo’s renomination of Mallam Bello to retain his position after being re-elected in May 2003.

With the support of the president, also a farmer, Mallam Bello has been able to accomplish many initiatives to better the conditions of the Nigerian farmer. They include cassava, cocoa and many others. The growth rate of the agriculture sector has moved from 4% in 2001 to 14% in 2006. In the area of rural development, the ministry has been able to improve conditions of rural areas, where most of the agriculture occurs. This is through improving their road network to urban markets and also through the provision of water facilities to aid the irrigation of farmlands. This was done independently or sometimes, in conjunction with the Ministry of Water Resources and also with the United Nations.

His effectiveness in his portfolio has made him the longest-serving Minister of Agriculture in Nigeria ever. It has also seen him become the longest-serving member of the Federal Cabinet along with Chief Babalola Borishade and Prof. Turner Isoun.

The Water Resources Portfolio

In January 2007, the number of ministries was decreased to 19 from the previous number of 34. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development AND the Ministry of Water Resources were merged to become the largest project ministry. Mallam Adamu Bello now became the substantive minister of Agriculture and Water Resources with two Ministers of State.

Controversy

Barely four months after his assumption of office when he decided along with the Federal Cabinet that Nigeria must import a few million tons of Beans from the country of Burkina Faso. The reasons were well founded but were harshly taken by the media who called for his resignation. Reasons for Beans import from Burkina Faso http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/oarticles/obasanjo_declares_a.htm[]

Another controversy was faced when the former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Bode Olowoporoku alleged that the minister connived with foreigners to dupe the country in a 3.4 Billion Naira scandal over fertilizer imports. A bag of fertilizer was said to cost N1500 in Ukraine, the main import country and was said to be sold by the ministry for N2800 with a margin on each taken by the minister. He explained to the Federal Cabinet the reasons for the disparity to include transport and duties cost of the process of moving fertilizer from the Ukraine to Nigeria. They accepted his explanation with his presentation of documentation to that effect. The case was dismissed by both the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) and ICPC (Independent Corrupt Practices Commission).

Senator Olowoporoku still continued with his proceedings against the minister even walking out the Minister of State of Agriculture, Chief Bamidele Dada from the Senate chambers when he came to explain. Mallam Bello expressed that Olowoporoku must have a vendetta against him over not being awarded fertilizer contracts during the process that may have earned him N200 million. The senator denied this saying “I have never requested contracts from the Ministry in my position as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. Evidence was presented of his two letter-headed requests with his signature. He dismissed the evidence as his attempt of helping some of associates of his. The Corporate Affairs Commission however disclosed that he registered both companies and his wife was listed as the CEO and Managing Director. This exposed the vendetta. The Senate relieved Chief Olowoporoku of his position as the Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture. He was also excluded from membership in all committees. This was subsequent to his eventual dismissal from the ruling political party, the Peoples Democratic Party. The media capitalized on making an opera of the situation. Details of the alleged scandal: https://web.archive.org/web/20070927035541/http://www.gamji.com/article4000/NEWS4715.htm

Titles and conferment

Mallam Adamu Bello was conferred with the chieftaincy title of the “Dan Iyan Adamawa” in 1989 by the chieftaincy council of his native Gongola State (Adamawa and Taraba States) at the time. In 2003, he also received another chieftaincy title; “Otun Babalakin” in Ekiti State. Mallam Adamu Bello was made a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (FCIB) in 1991. He was also conferred with an Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) by the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (Lautech) of Oyo State. Mallam Bello was conferred with the national honour of CFR (Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic) becoming the first serving member of the Federal Cabinet to ever be decorated in December 2006. Mallam Bello is a recipient of numerous leadership awards. He has also distinguished himself in receiving numerous nominations for Minister of the Year Awards by numerous media bodies in Nigeria.

External links

Babatunde, Jimoh. Agric minister takes stock of achievement

Cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo 1999–2003

Vice President	Atiku Abubakar (1999–2007)

Agriculture	Sani Daura (June 1999–2000) Hassan Adamu (2000–January 2001) Adamu Bello (February 2001–2007)

Aviation	Olusegun Agagu (May 1999–February 2001) Kema Chikwe (February 2001–May 2003)

Commerce	Mustapha Bello (June 1999–2002) Precious Ngelale (–May 2003)

Communications	Mohammed Arzika (June 1999–June 2001) Haliru Mohammed Bello (June 2001–May 2003)

Co-operation and Integration in Africa	Jerry Gana (May 1999–)

Defence	Theophilus Danjuma (June 1999–2003)

Education	Tunde Adeniran (June 1999–February 2001) Babalola Borishade (February 2001–)

Environment (Later + Housing)	Hassan Adamu (June 1999–2000) Sani Daura (2000–January 2001) Mohammed Kabir Said (February 2001–)

FCT Administration	Ibrahim Bunu (June 1999–February 2001) Mohammed Abba Gana (February 2001–)

Finance	Adamu Ciroma (June 1999–2003)

Foreign Affairs	Sule Lamido (June 1999–2003)

Health	Tim Menakaya (June 1999–February 2001) ABC Nwosu (February 2001–2003)

Industries	Iyorchia Ayu (Jun 1999–2000) Stephen Akiga (2000–January 2001) Kolawole Babalola Jamodu (February 2001–May 2003)

Information and National Orientation	Dapo Sarumi (June 1999–January 2001) Jerry Gana (February 2001–)

Internal Affairs	Sunday Afolabi (June 1999 -) Mohammed Shata (–May 2003)

Justice (Attorney General)	Kanu Agabi (Jun 1999–Jan 2000) Bola Ige (Jan 2000–2002) Kanu Agabi (2002–2003)

Labour, Employment and Productivity	Alabo Graham-Douglas (June 1999–July 2000) Musa Gwadabe

Mines and Steel Development (Solid Minerals)	Musa Gwadabe (June 1999–) Kanu Agabi

Police Affairs	David Jemibewon (June 1999–2000) Stephen Akiga (February 2001–)

Power and Steel	Bola Ige (June 1999–Jan 2000) Segun Agagu

Science and Technology	Ebitimi Banijo (June 1999–) Turner Isoun

Sports and Social Development	Damishi Sango (June 1999–February 2001) Ishaya Mark Aku (February 2001–May 2002) Stephen Akiga (May 2002–May 2003)

Tourism, Culture and National Orientation	Ojo Maduekwe (June 1999–July 2000) Alabo Graham-Douglas (July 2000–January 2001) Boma Jack (February 2001–)

Transport	Kema Chikwe (June 1999–February 2001) Ojo Maduekwe (February 2001–2003)

Water Resources	Mohammed Kaliel (June 1999–June 2001) Muktar Shagari (June 2001–May 2003)

Women and Youth Development	Aishat Ismail

Works and Housing	Tony Anenih (June 1999–2003)

Cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo 2003–2007

Vice President	Atiku Abubakar (May 2003–May 2007)

Agriculture (and Water Resources from Jan 2007)	Adamu Bello (July 2003–May 2007)

Aviation	Isa Yuguda (July 2003–July 2005) Babalola Borishade (July 2005–Nov 2006) Femi Fani-Kayode (November 2006–May 2007)

Commerce and Industry (initially Commerce)	Idris Waziri (July 2003–June 2006) Aliyu Modibbo Umar (Commerce July 2006–January 2007, Commerce and Industry January 2007–May 2007)

Communications (later and Information)	Cornelius Adebayo (July 2003–Aug 2006) Obafemi Anibaba (Aug 2006–Jan 2007) Frank Nweke (Jan 2007–May 2007)

Defence	Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (July 2003–2006) Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi (2006–May 2007)

Education	Fabian Osuji (July 2003–Mar 2005) Chinwe Obaji (June 2005–June 2006) Obiageli Ezekwesili (June 2006–May 2007)

Energy	Edmund Daukoru (July 2003–May 2007)

Environment (and Housing from Jan 2007)	Bala Mande (–July 2005) Iyorchia Ayu (June 2005–Dec 2005) Helen Esuene (Jan 2006–May 2007)

FCT Administration	Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai (July 2003–May 2007)

Finance	Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (July 2003–July 2006) Nnenadi Usman (July 2006–May 2007)

Foreign Affairs	Oluyemi Adeniji (July 2003–July 2006) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (July 2006–August 2006) Joy Ogwu (August 2006–May 2007)

Health	Eyitayo Lambo (July 2003–May 2007)

Housing (merged into Environment Jan 2007)	Rahman Mimiko (June 2005–January 2007)

Information and National Orientation	Chukwuemeka Chikelu (July 2003–June 2005) Frank Nweke (June 2005–May 2007)

Industry (merged to Commerce & Industry Jan 2007)	Magaji Muhammed (–June 2005) Fidelis Tapgun (June 2005–January 2007)

Internal Affairs (Interior from January 2007)	Iyorchia Ayu (–June 2005) Magaji Muhammed (June 2005–June 2006) Oluyemi Adeniji (June 2006–May 2007)

Justice (Attorney General)	Akin Olujimi (–June 2005) Bayo Ojo (June 2005–May 2007)

Labour	Hassan Muhammed Lawal (July 2003–May 2007)

National Planning Commission	Abdallah Wali (Jan 2007–May 2007)

Police Affairs (merged into Interior in Jan 2007)	Broderick Bozimo (July 2003–January 2007)

Power and Steel	Liyel Imoke (July 2003–January 2007)

Science and Technology	Isoun Turner (July 2003–May 2007)

Solid Minerals (later Mines & Steel)	Odion Ugbesia (–June 2005) Obiageli Ezekwesili (June 2005–) Leslye Obiora (Jan 2007–May 2007)

Sports	Musa Mohammed (July 2003–July 2005) Saidu Samaila Sambawa (July 2005–) Bala Bawa Ka'oje (–May 2007)

Tourism, Culture and National Orientation	Femi Fani-Kayode (2006) Babalola Borishade (2006–May 2007)

Transport	Precious Sekibo (July 2003–January 2007) Cornelius Adebayo (Jan 2007–May 2007)

Water Resources (merged with Agriculture Jan 2007)	Muktar Shagari (July 2003–January 2007)

Women Affairs	Rita Akpan (July 2003–June 2005) Maryam Ciroma (June 2005–May 2007)

Works and Housing	Adeseye Ogunlewe (July 2003–March 2006) Obafemi Anibaba (March 2006–Sep 2006) Cornelius Adebayo (Sep 2006–Jan 2007)

Youth Development	Frank Nweke (April 2004–June 2005) Musa Mohammed (July 2005–June 2006) S. A. Jankanda (January 2007–May 2007)

See also Cabinet of President Umaru Yar'Adua

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