MEET Nigeria's Youngest Governorship Candidate (PHOTOS)

One interesting story about the 2015 elections which many may not know is that Nigerians might get to witness the swearing in of the youngest governor ever on May 29.

Over the years, there have been calls for the empowerment of women and youths in the country and to a reasonable extent, these calls seem to have been gradually embraced by the government.
President Goodluck Jonathan in July 2011 appointed 12 female ministers to his cabinet including Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the minister of finance and co-ordinating minister for the economy; Diezani Alison-Madueke,  the minister of petroleum; Ruqqayatu Rufai, the minister of education who was later replaced by Mr Shekarau in 2014.

Just as women have been gradually embraced in Nigeria’s politics, younger people are also starting to make waves. This can be seen from the swearing in of Governor Abdulaziz Yari, at the age of 42 in Zamfara state, and Governor Ramallan Yero of Kaduna state, sworn in at the age of 43 in 2012.
It may also be recalled that as part of his efforts to ensure participation in government and bringing government to the grassroots, the former governor of Ekiti state, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, appointed a former prominent student leader Comrade Oyebode as his special assistant on students’ matters in November 2013.

Now Nigerians might witness the swearing in of the youngest governor ever come May 29, if the PDP governorship aspirant in Niger state, Alhaji Umar Mohammed Nasko, at just over 40 years, wins the election.

Born on March 13, 1975, in Ogbomosho, Oyo state, Alhaji Umar Mohammed Nasko is a native of the Magama local government area of Niger state.

PDP’s governorship candidate, Umar Nasko of Niger state 

PDP’s governorship candidate, Umar Nasko of Niger state 

PDP’s governorship candidate, Umar Nasko of Niger state

PDP’s governorship candidate, Umar Nasko of Niger state 

Nigeria’s youngest gubernatorial candidate – Niger State PDP’s Umar Nasko speaking at #MeetThePresident

From his early days at the presidential villa in Aso Rock, to his time serving as the chief of staff at Government House, Niger state, Alhaji Umar Nasko is only just 40 years of age and will be running for the position of governor of Niger state under the PDP in the upcoming April 11 election.

Checkout Alhaji Umar Mohammed Nasko’s record below;
EDUCATION: 
Master’s Degree in Political Science, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; 2001
Honorary Doctor in Public Administration, Atlantic International University, U.S.A
Certificate, Infrastructure in a Marketing Economy, Harvard University; 2008
Certificate, Designing Legislative, Institutional, and Regulatory Frameworks, Washington D.C, 2008
Certificate, Benchmarking Emerging Markets, Singapore, 2008
Certificate, Presidential Strategic Leadership and Governance Retreat, University of Warwick, 2007
Certificate, Farming, Mashav Institute; 2004
University of Lodz, Poland; 1996
Nigerian Military School, Zaria, Kaduna
Command Children’s School, Ann Barracks, Yaba, Lagos; 1980 – 1985
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE:
Chief of Staff to the Governor of Niger State,
Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Environment, Parks, Gardens, and Forest Resources, Niger State
Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Youth Development, Niger State,
Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Niger State,
Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Niger State,
Member, Niger State Executive Council,
Special Adviser, Tourism Matters, Niger State,
Chairman, Local Organizing Committee for the National Festival on Arts and Culture,
Chairman, Committee on Vehicle Verification, Niger State,
Member, Technical Committee on Harmonization, Niger State,
Member, Committee on Public and Private Partnership, Niger State,
Member, Transition Committee, Niger State,
Managing Director, Madae & Sons Limited,
Project Manager, Fathibro Ventures Nigeria Limited, Abuja,
Assistant Secretary, Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial Crimes,
Volunteer, United Nations Human Rights Office, Krakow, Poland,
Sky Guard, 311 Air Defence Artillery Detachments, Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja
AWARDS:
Development Merit Award for Excellence, African Age International Magazine,
Distinguished Nigerian Award for Excellence, Time News Magazine,
Distinguished Honor of the Great Achievers Gold Award for Africans,
Most Resourceful Public Figure of the Year Award, NANISS,
Africa Success Award in Commerce, Industry, Tourism, and Co-operatives, Africa Certified Institute, of Public Administrator (CIPA),
Great Achievers Gold Award for Africans, Bold News Africa,
Fellowship Award, Institute of Co-operative Professionals of Nigeria,
Commissioner of the Year, Quality Management Development Institute,
Youth Ambassador in the North Central, National Youth Council of Nigeria North Central,
Outstanding Great African Patriotic Achievers Gold Award,
Outstanding leaders Gold Award, News in Africa,
Real Nation Builders Gold Award, Realmac,
Special Merit Award, Who is Who in Management Intelligence,
Award of Excellence, Conference of Nigeria Political Parties.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP: 
Fellow, Civilian Institute of Democratic Administration (FCIDA),
Fellow, Certified Institute of Public Administration (FCIPA),
Member, Harvard University Alumni Society,
Member, Nigerian Institute of Management.
POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS: 
Chairman and Member, United Nigeria People’s Party, 2001 – 2003;
Gubernatorial standard bearer and Member, People’s Democratic Party, 2003 – Present


Last year, Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger state fired Hon Musa Ibeto, his deputy governor. After this, Niger North stakeholders met to endorse Hon Umar Nasko, Aliyu’s chief of staff, as the sole candidate.