Engr. Andrew Laah Yakubu is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mariyamu & Yakubu Foundation. He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 with Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering and joined the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in 1980 as a Chemical Engineer II in the NNPC Refinery, Kaduna. Engr. Yakubu grew through the ranks in the corporation culminating in his appointment as the Group Managing Director in June 2012. He retired in August 2014 after 34 years of service. Engr. Yakubu is a consummate philanthropist He is a
Engr. Yakubu is a traditional title holder, the “Inya Atyap of Zango Kataf”. He holds other chieftaincy titles namely the OkaaObuluzo of Obosiland and the Nwachinemere 1 of Uruata Kingdom of Abia State amongst others.
He is happily married to Sarah Yakubu with whom they have six (6) children and three (3) grandchildren. He has strong interest in the games of Golf and Soccer
Mrs. Sarah Yakubu is a Trustee of Mariyamu & Yakubu Foundation. She has been involved in the educational sector in Nigeria for well over 30 years. She holds a National Certificate in Education from College of Education Kafanchan and a Bachelor of Education from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Mrs. Yakubu taught Social Studies at the famous Queen Amina College Kaduna for over ten years and is the Founder and Proprietress of Progress Schools Kaduna.
Mrs. Yakubu has been highly instrumental for the educational advancement of many youths both within and outside the country. She is an astute businesswoman and a philanthropist per excellence. She is on the board of a number of companies amongst which is Kushak Nigeria Limited, Fruits & Veggies Global Limited and Sieages Nigeria Limited.
Air Commodore John Bako Ajeye (Rtd) was born on 27th December 1954 to SGT and Mrs. Tani Bako AJEYE all (Late) at Mazaki in Zangon Kataf. He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy in July 1974 as an Air Force Cadet and a member of 16 Regular Course and commissioned pilot officer in January 1977. Air Commodore Ajeye (Rtd) attended several courses both in Nigeria and the United Kingdom and held several command and staff positions in the Nigerian Military including Air Secretary, Director of Personnel and Director of Production at the Defense headquarters Abuja. He is a recipient of many military honours. He retired from the Nigerian Air Force in 2008.
Air Commodore Ajeye (Rtd) is married to Dorothy (Nee Didam Bognet) with whom they have five children – 1 girl 4 boys, and one grandson. He loves dancing, swimming, car racing and golf.
Mr. Steve Bawa is the founder and CEO of Fruits & veggies Global Limited an agro processing company and Alpha Liba Energy Resources Limited, an oil and gas service company. Prior to setting up these two companies, he had served for about 8 years as Vice Chairman/CEO of Farm Fresh, a dairy processing and marketing company, he was a director on the board of Lion Bank Nigeria Plc prior to the merger with Diamond Bank Plc and the Group Head, Capital Markets in an investment bank based in Lagos. He is currently on the board of several other companies.
Mr. Bawa is a 1989 Economics graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a Trium MBA graduate from New York University, London School of Economics and Political Science and HEC Paris. He is also a Chartered Stockbroker.
Mr. Bitrus Kenneth Yakubu holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, a Masters in International Affairs & Diplomacy and a Masters in Public Administration, all from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. Mr Yakubu worked with the famous Kaduna Capital Schools for over 14 years and is amongst the management of Progress Schools Kaduna as well as the being on the board of Jesam Schools Kaduna. He currently works with the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria and also pursues other private business interest.
Mr. Yakubu is a member of the following bodies and associations: National Institute of Management, Fellow Association of Professional Managers and Administrators, Associate Registered Practitioner in Advertising, and Member Institute of Management Consultants. He is also a patron and adviser to the following groups: Youth Awareness Group Kaduna State, Northern and Southern Kaduna State Democratic Youth Forum, and Atyap national Youth Wing.
Mrs. Hauwa Evelyn Shekarau serves as the Secretary of Mariyamu & Yakubu Foundation. She is a distinguished Chevening Alumnus, gender advocate, human rights activist, a professional Mediator and Conciliator. Mrs Shekarau is law graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and holds a post-graduate law degree in Law and Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) of the University of London in 2007. She is a registered member of the International Bar Association, Institute of Chartered Mediation and Conciliation, Nigerian Bar Association and a Life member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).
Hauwa is currently the National President of FIDA Nigeria and participated at the National Conference 2014. In addition to being the Principal Partner of her Law Firm H.E. Shekarau & Co, she also works as Senior Advisor, Policy and Advocacy at Ipas Nigeria, an International