By Buhari Abba Rano
On Wednesday December 6, 2023, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)
hosted Alhaji Dalhatu Abubakar, Chairman of Al-Hamsad Integrated Rice Mills and President of the
Conference of Northern States Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture in its
December edition of the Inspiring Leadership Reflection Interactive Series (ILERIS). The session started
with welcome remarks by Senior Programmes Officer who representing Executive Director, Dr. Y.Z. Ya’u.
The session focused on sharing Alhaji Dalhatu's life journey, educational background, and
entrepreneurial experiences, aiming to inspire and mentor young people.
Alhaji Dalhatu Abubakar, though originally from Kano state, was born in Maiduguri, Borno state, where
his late father settled as a businessman, there he had his primary and secondary education before
proceeding to Kaduna Polytechnic for National Diploma in Business Management and Administration.
Alhaji Dalhatu’s entrepreneurial journey began in his teens when his mother first sent him on a business
trip to Saudi Arabia. Inspired greatly by his mother's initial capital support, he began selling shoes in
Maiduguri, before eventually expanding and moving into other businesses such as importing and selling
cars, operating rice mills, construction, etc.
During the session, he emphasized the importance of obedience to parents stressing that it is a key to
unlocking great opportunities, growth and development, he also emphasized starting businesses with a
small capital, highlighting it as a key element in his success story.
During a questions, comments and answer session, Khadija Sharif, a participant and student of Maryam
Abacha American University of Nigeria sought for an advice on securing an interest-free bank loan to
maintain her shoe and bag business that is facing capital challenges, after responding, Alhaji Dalhatu
gave her a hundred thousand naira (N100,000) to support her maintain the business.
CITAD's senior Program Officer, Malam Isah Garba, representing the Executive Director, expressed
gratitude to Alhaji Dalhatu Abubakar for honoring the invitation despite his commitments and for
supporting the participant with capital reinforcement, he encouraged participants to emulate Khadija in
developing and maintain a business idea.
The session ended with CITAD publications to the guest speaker, the presentation was done by Isah
Garba, the representative of the Executive Director Centre for Information Technology and
Development (CITAD).
