Bello Jibrin Gada Explained

Bello Jibrin Gada
Office1:Senator for Sokoto East
Term Start1:May 1999
Term End1:May 2003
Successor1:Sule Yari Gandi
Office2:Federal Minister of Culture & Tourism
Term Start2:17 December 2008
Term End2:17 March 2010
Predecessor2:Adetokunbo Kayode
Successor2:Abubakar Sadiq A. Mohammed
Birth Date:1954
Birth Place:Sokoto State, Nigeria

Bello Jibrin Gada is a Nigerian politician who was Senator for Sokoto East from May 1999 to May 2003. He was appointed Minister of Culture & Tourism on 17 December 2008 after a cabinet reshuffle by President Umaru Yar'Adua.[1] He left office in March 2010 when Acting President Goodluck Jonathan dissolved his cabinet.[2]

Gada was born in 1954. He attended Bayero University (Kano) and Ahmadu Bello University (Zaria).[3] He was elected Senator for Sokoto East on the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) platform, holding office from May 1999 to May 2003. He served as the Minority Whip during his term in office. Later, he defected to the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), where he became chairman of the Sokoto State People's Democratic Party.

A few weeks after being appointed Minister of Culture and Tourism, in January 2009 Gada gave his support to the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), which was concerned about the rapidly growing number of tourism operators that were not accredited by the NTDC.[4]

Speaking at the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) held in Minna, Niger State in December 2009, Gada said the festival was much more than a dancing jamboree, but served as a vital tool for fostering unity in the country, showcased the country's diverse culture and promoted tourism.[5]

In a February 2010 press briefing, Gada listed the achievements of his ministry in the past year which included establishing six cultural industry centres, creating the Institute for African Culture and International Understanding, Abeokuta and establishing a committee on National Archives and National Museums. He outlined plans for the future such as increased public / private partnership and rehabilitation and reconstruction of abandoned and dilapidated museums and archives projects. He did not discuss the National Tourism Master-plan.[6] In March 2010 Gada inaugurated various committees of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria to help put the country at par with other African tourist nations.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Coming of New Helmsmen . Anza Philips . Newswatch . 24 December 2008 . 17 April 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110617041654/http://www.newswatchngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=409&Itemid=1 . 17 June 2011 . dead .
  2. Web site: Jonathan Sacks Ministers . Vanguard . Daniel Idonor . 17 March 2010 . 17 April 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100322203116/http://allafrica.com/stories/201003171041.html. 22 March 2010 . live.
  3. Web site: Profile of the 13 ministerial nominees . Nigeria First . 18 November 2008 . 17 April 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101029005008/http://www.nigeriafirst.org/printer_8499.shtml . 29 October 2010 .
  4. Web site: NTDC raises alarm over suspect tourism projects . Maurice Archibong . 15 January 2009 . The Sun news . 17 April 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100412113039/http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/travels/2009/jan/15/Travel-15-01-2009-001.htm . 12 April 2010 . dead.
  5. Web site: NAFEST not a dancing jamboree, says Gada . Jide Orintunsin . 28 October 2009 . The Nation . 17 April 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120312055435/http://thenationonlineng.net/web2/articles/23384/1/NAFEST-not-a-dancing-jamboree-says-Gada/Page1.html . 12 March 2012 .
  6. Web site: Scorecard Of Culture Ministry Under Gada . 6 February 2010 . Bridget Chiedu Onochie . The Guardian . 17 April 2010.
  7. Web site: Gada Inaugurates FTAN Technical Committees . Daily Champion . Victor Nze . 12 March 2010 . 17 April 2010.