Andesikuteb Yakubu Ali
Having traversed banking and finance world, Andesikuteb Yakubu Ali further went on to romance with environmental and management consultancy. Boasting high intellectual bent, coupled with numerous publications and a published book, Ali presently homes in on the academia and in this chat with “My Literary Hub”, he addresses the problems and prospects associated with provision of water in parts of Nigeria and the way forward.
Enjoy:
May we know who you are?
Andesikuteb Yakubu Ali is an astute and consummate academic, author, NESREA certified Environmental and Management consultant, motivational speaker, a great thinker and a philosopher, investor, entrepreneur, farmer and a banker of over 17 years.
I was born in Lissam, Ussa Local Government Area of Taraba State Nigeria to the family of Mr and Mrs Yakubu Ali Andepam few decades ago. I attended LGEA Primary School Lupwe between 1981 and 1986 and thereafter proceeded to Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Rufu, Ussa Local Government Area where he earned the First School Leaving and Senior Secondary Certificates respectively. I also acquired tertiary education at the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria and obtained degrees of Bachelor and Masters in Geography between 1996 and 2008. I further proceeded and obtained a PhD in Environmental and Resources Planning at the Department of Geography and Planning of University of Jos, Nigeria in 2018.
I have written a book and published so many other academic papers in both local and international journals, conference book of proceedings, book chapters and festschrifts. Apart from my appearances at so many academic and professional conferences I have equally attended and anchored so many workshops in Banking, Corporate Administration, Financial Management, Human Capital Development, Financial and Investment Analysis, basic, intermediate and advanced credit programmes, Environmental and Water Resources Planning and Management, among others.
I am currently an academic staff of Bingham University Karu, a husband to Mercy Ande Ali and a father to KokoRimam and counting. I love speaking, preaching, teaching, reading, travelling and writing and have received awards of Excellence in Banking and Financial Management in 2015 and the world prize for the right of children in 2010 among other ones.
Why did you contribute to the body of knowledge in the area of water resources?
Water is my passion because it is life and sustainer of life. Water is available and also very scarce.
Water is also a big problem and a conduit through which a lot of people worldwide get sick or even die, so as a solution provider, I delved into that area of discipline to contribute my quota to ridding the world of a very big problem.
How long did it take you to have it written and published eventually?
It took me about five years from start to finish.
What is the thematic thrust of the book and what is the title?
Communal Conflicts And Rural Development in Takum and Ussa Areas of Taraba State.
What incidents in your life have motivated you to remain focused in life?
My motivation came from parents and relations. My exposure to the environment and people who are dexterous and determined to achieve results. My banking career also shaped me greatly because of the push I received from them to achieve large targets at all costs, insults, challenges and other persons’ achievements spur me into positive actions and stir up the drive to be dexterous and remain focused.
What feedback have you received since publishing your book from Germany?
Well, a lot of people have called and written to commend my efforts for achieving the feat.
What do you think the 4th Industrial revolution should achieve?
Environmental sustainability, poverty eradication, equity, achievements of all SDG goals and human development indices.
What are the relevance of professional bodies like CIDSS?
Award of excellence conferred on performing individuals and groups, training and consultancy.
Education and publication and documentation. Professional bodies shape one’s thinking.
Professionally, they foster relationships and make people to be abreast of current trends.
How many professional bodies do you belong to?
Six (6) namely, a fellow of Chartered Institute of Development and Social Studies, Chartered Institute of Human Capital Development of Nigeria (CIHCDN), Institute of Industrialists and Corporate Administrators (IICA), Chartered Institute of Financial and Investment Analysts of Nigeria (CIFIAN), Institute of Management Consultants (IMC), and a member of Association of Nigerian Geographers (ANG) and Nigerian Environmental Society (NES)
.
As a former banker what are your thoughts in the new CBN policy of limits of withdrawal?
If the lofty objectives would be achieved and money launderers and thieves apprehended and punished, we are going to be better for it as a country. The current disparity between the haves (thieves) and the have-nots would be bridged and everyone will learn to become hardworking to create wealth and not merely going into government to embark on fraudulent wealth transfer exercise.
In the long run do you think CBN’s redesigning the Naira merits the arguments put forward by the apex bank?
Yes sir, a lot of opponents of this policy are just merely looking at the cost of minting and forgetting that a lot of looted funds are rotting away in looters’ safes and not being used for investments and genuine business transactions that are beneficial to the economy.
What are you into since retirement from the bank, any regrets?
Farming, consulting and lecturing.
What are your favourite colours, food and games?
Blue, Grey and all deep colours. Tuwo and vegetable soup, football in the past.
