With PhD, Four Master Degrees, Friends, Associates Celebrate Dr Martala Forty-four

 Just last month, precisely on the 5th of March, 2022, friends and associates of Dr Yusuf Murtala Fortyfour had celebrated his award of a Doctorate degree and four Masters degrees from reputable higher institutions of learning across the world at the NUT hall, Jalingo. And also celebrated his recognised professional qualifications with cognate experiences gained over time. The event was colourful and great, witnessing personalities from across disciplines of great endeavours: academia, banking industry, professional bodies, religious and social organisations -- among others.

 

The gathering also witnessed the presence of past and present political office holders in great number from all parts of the state and beyond, which was since believed that only an illustrious son of Taraba with such an impeccable integrity could gather such a high caliber personalities in his honour. It was indeed a 'wow!', seeing how great personalities trooping in to bless the august event. The hall was filled up and some invited guests were forced to hear and watch from outside, the beautiful programmes that held.

 

Dr Yusuf Murtala Fortyfour having obtained a PhD in Accounting and Finance from Sudan, friends and associates deemed it fit to celebrate with him. Before then, he obatained the following degrees: Master of Science in Accounting and Finance (United Kingdom), Master of Business Administration (MBA -- Unimaid), Masters in Islamic Banking and Finance (MIBF -- BUK), Masters in Financial Economics (MFE -- UniAbuja), BSc Accountancy (Unimaid). 

 

He is a Member of the National Accountants of Nigeria, inducted in 2007. He is also a Member of the Chattered Institute of Taxation as well as a Fellow Certified Financial Analyst.

Achieving these multiple degrees with the total of four Masters degrees, and belonging to these reputable professional bodies is a feat achieved by few and it is worthy of commendation and emulation.

 

Dr Yusuf Murtala Fortyfour also acquired very reach experience from the banking industry, public service, professional practice and the academia. With over fifteen years experience, he is considered as a high level technocrat whose connection is far reaching enough to gather such personalities of high repute.

 

The State PDP Chairman was represented by the State Vice Chairman, Southern Taraba, in person of Hon. Jonathan Adashos. Members State House of Assembly present were Hon. Josiah Aji, Wukari 2; Hon. Pius Zasty, Wukari 1; Hon. Nasiru Tafida, Jalingo 1; Hon. Lawan Abdulkarim, Ibi constituency. In the same manner, members of the State Executive Council present were Hon. Jethro Yakubu, Commissioner of Cooperative and Poverty; Hon. Badina Garba, Commissioner of Power.

 

Equally present were former Member, Jalingo 1, Hon. Nura Dantsoho; former Majority leader, Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. Hayatu Haske; former Member, Wukari 1, Hon. Munkaila Kindatu; former Member, Wukari 1, Chief Joseph Dantani Tahwa; former State PDP Chairman, Alh. Danladi Shehu; former State Deputy Chairman, PDP, Alh. Iliya Ibrahim Agabi; former State Deputy Chairman, PDP and Charman, Wukari Local Government Council, Hon. Daniel Angyu Amarackzy.

 

From the religious side, the former Grand Kadi, Sharia Court of Appeals, Jalingo, Alh. Ismaila Muhammed was present. Also present was Dr. Jalo Jalingo, a renowned Islamic scholar in Nigeria. The State Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Bishop Manaseh Silas was also present. Dr Sadanu Bantaje, who gave the opening prayer from the Muslim side, was in attendance along side the leadership of the Taraba State Muslim Council.

 

In the academia, the Vice Chancellor, Taraba State University was ably represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Prof Isa Adamu Ardo. Prof Mustapha Baba Ibi, Faculty of Education, Taraba State University, was in attendance and graciously presented a wonderful paper on the nexus between education and human character. Prof Saidu Adamu, H.O.D Accounting, Federal University of Kashere registered his presence as well. Prof Obioma Oghalome, Director Entrepreneurship Center, Federal University, Wukari also graced the occasion. Alhaji Surajo Isa Elyakub, the Registrar, Federal Polytechnic Bali, was also present.

 

So also, other academics present were Prof Jerome Nyameh, Director Entrepreneurship Center, Taraba State University; Dr Miftahu Idris, the Head of Department, Economics, Taraba State University, Jalingo; Dr Suzan Peru, the Head of Department, Accounting, Taraba State University, ably represented by Shehu Usman Aliyu; Prof Suraj Ladan Sani, former Dean Students Affairs, Taraba State University, Jalingo.

 

Furthermore, the professional accounting bodies and the banking industry were not to be left behind as they were ably represented. Thus, the Chairman, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Jalingo District Society, Mr Gabriel Olayinka, FCA was in attendance to represent the organisation. He made remarks about the contribution of the celebrant to the Accounting profession and equally encouraged him to make more exploits in the profession -- and concluded with a good-will message on behalf of ICAN. In the same vein, the Chairman of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Taraba State Chapter, Mr Adamu Tonga beautifully represented the organisation as well. Interestingly, the branch and regional managers of First Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, UBA Plc, Union Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc were present to represent the banks with gifts and well-wishes.

 

These were in addition to various youth movements and the leadership of various labour unions and associations within the state, alongside family members, friends and associates in their hundreds that time and space could not contain their names. It was such a wonderful gathering of great momentum in large number of well-wishers and intellectual personalities.

 

Meanwhile, numerous gifts and awards were presented to the celebrant as Taraba State Art Council and the TSU Art Department acted insightful and didactic dramas to the audience.

 

Indeed from all ramifications, the event portrayed Dr Martala Forty-four as a man of the people, a man of impeccable integrity whose life journey and sojourn have been for the people as confessed by many speakers. 

 

His speech at the occasion  proved him to be very cerebral in which he related with the audience that his academic and other achievements were not without challenges -- as daunting as some appeared to be. But his resilence and perseverance made him successful.