Opinion: Dr. Mazadu Dader Bako: Unveiling the success story of an uncommon leader

The quote below by Dr. Mazadu Dader Bako would serve as an anchor upon which this article would have its footing.

“My underlying purpose and motivation for leadership is giving back to community and society. Leave the society better than I met it.”

This feature story, put together by the media team of Dr. Mazadu Dader Bako seeks to among other rationale and logical basis underscore the ultimate success stories of a man whose primary vision is to exercise leadership that has the potential to pay higher dividends in our collective futures.

Firstly, we the media team members of the man, this article is written to honour are in all honesty, proud to associate ourselves with him and his vision for the future. We are definitely with him every step of the way.

Secondly, we put this article for the records and history can bear us witness that it has nothing to do with sugar-coated praises written out of context but ultimately, it has everything to do with motivating especially, the younger generation to take the challenge and change the course of history by adopting the kind of bold vision and leadership style examplified by our mentor and leader, a true “servant-leader” whose underlying mission in life is to constantly mould strong blocks in order to build and usher a new dawn of a civil, prosperous and truly functional Society with all of resources and opportunities harnessed for the greatest possible good of humanity. To lend further credence to the good things he’s done and still does, the interviews below are an eloquent testimony for firsthand.

Dr. Mazadu Dader Bako is very much in the spirit of patriotism doing things of extraordinary significance. Oh my goodness! Embarking on facts finding, grassroots journalism and community relations sounded like a thriller, and the obvious truth is the fact that, this is a man whose legacies will stand the test of time in all ramifications. He’s committed his hard earned resources to touch lives and make impact in Gyambwas village where he hails from and the larger society literally in terms of scholarships for the youths, helping to secure jobs, economic empowerment, provision of portable water and development projects to his credit like building of schools, hospital, motorable road, culverts, electric transformer and other basic essentials. These are no rhetorics but real in all practical sense as evidenced in the videos, pictures and testimonies of people selected through random sampling of opinions below.

Realistically, there is a world of difference between leaders who use what they’ve got to improve the lot of other people in the spirit of giving back to society and in active pursuance of purpose for the greatest possible good of humanity and others who use their position to assume counterproductive influence without footprints in the sands of time. Dr. Mazadu Dader Bako falls in the category of the former. This article seeks to spur other leaders to realise that time is short and there is no better time to begin the robust building of legacies than now. Tomorrow might be too late. If God places you in a position of influence and service, you’ve got to justify your mandate and build a future of hope and prosperity for generations yet unborn. This is exactly what Dr. Mazadu Dader Bako has done and still does. Kindly spare a minute and go through the picture gallery of his achievements directly benefiting his immediate community of Gyambwas and Mangu Local Government at large.

Apparently concerned about the development of his people and the need to have them improve their computer skills for greater future benefits, Dr. Mazadu Dader Bako established the Shantong ICT Center and was officially launched March 2020 in Mangu Local Government with state-of-the-art facilities/technology. It has a total number of 256 computers and got official clearance to be used as JAMB examination centre. On the other hand, the Shang Tong Hotel & Suites creating job opportunities and revenue for Mangu Local Government courtesy of Dr. Mazadu was opened in December 2015 for public use.

The youths, women, aged, workers and those close to Dr. Mazadu are all testifying his awesomeness and goodwill. According to a cleaner, Mrs. Talatu Emmanuel at Shantong ICT Center, “What Dr. Mazadu examplifies is courage and his goodwill is beyond measure.” Listen to her words in the video below.

Satisfied with his commitment and passion for development, during a media chat with Satisprime Reporters, chief DG Fompun said “Dr. Mazadu Dader Bako is someone I can vouch for. Over the years, he has been very supportive and philanthropic in his community and society at large. He’s one man who is passionate about community development and the progress of his people. The schools, clinics and other development projects to his credit are enough to thank this man.”

Also speaking with Satisprime Reporters, His Royal Highness the RIT LANGAI said “What Dr. Mazadu has done and continues to do are immeasurable. He’s a leader that doesn’t exhibit discriminatory tendencies on the basis of one’s religion. Christians and Muslims are beneficiaries of his philanthropy. Because of his impact on Langai District, I gave him a traditional title as the Talban Langai. May God bless him to do more.”

Also responding, Chief Pedro Dafur a close friend and acting national president of Mupun Cultural and Development Association (MUCDA) said, “Dr Bako is a complete gentleman. He is highly principled. Very meticulous and insightful. He strives for flawlessness and quality. A great personality with peaceful disposition. A very good family man. He loves and cherish his Gyambyes community very much.”

Based on general assessment and testimonies from people across the state, It is obvious that Mr. Mazadu Dader Bako represents enormous hope and enormous potential for change. He represents the promises of a greater and brighter future to come. Using his hard earned resources to lift many out of poverty, extend scholarship opportunities to the needy and open frontiers for development in Gyambwas community, Mangu and the larger society at large tells of his incredible sacrifices and commitment to humanity. It is just fascinating to know that Dr. Bako is redeeming the time and changing the course of history. He maximises opportunities and resources for the greatest possible good of humanity. He thinks outside the box and helps the people that come his way find their ultimate purpose in life. His amazing investments in communities and lives are second to none.

Born on June 24, 1958, Dr. Mazadu Dader Bako hails from Gyambwas village in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. He attended Demonstration School Gindiri from 1966-1972. Thereafter, he proceeded to Government College, Makurdi from 1973-1977. From 1978-1982, he attended the University of Maiduguri and obtained B.Sc. (Hons) Geology and graduated with a First Class then proceeded to pursue his MSc (1984/1985) in Water & Waste Engineering, Loughborough University, UK.

He currently holds a Ph. D in Geology obtained at Loughborough University, England, United Kingdom from 1986 – 1988. He’s at present the Managing Director
Shang Tong Nigeria Limited and a Consultant in Oil & Gas.

Through his dint of hardwork and commitment to service, he has received many meritorious awards of honour including:

Best Graduating Geology Student 1982, University of Maiduguri.

University of Maiduguri Study Fellowship. 1984 – 1988
Loughborough University Study Grant. England 1987 – 1988
Safety, Health & Environment Award 1993 – NNPC – Benin Zone
Certificate of Distinction: COMDP Course 036. April 2006
Fellow, Nigerian Mining & Geosciences Society (FNMGS), 2016
Fellow, Nigerian Assoc. of Petroleum Explorationists (FNAPE), 2017
NMGS/DPR/Chief M.O. Feyide Award for making Excellent and Consistent Contribution in the General area of Petroleum//Engineering at 54th Int. Conference of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, Kano. Nigeria. 2018.
NNPC commendation on the successful discovery of Hydrocarbon in Kolmani River (Benue Trough)
He currently has to his credit over 20 publications in reputable journals with some notable ones mentioned below:

PUBLICATIONS/RESEARCH

Bako, M.D. 1988. Rural Water Supply in Borno State, Nigeria. Developing World Water Vol. 3 pp. 80-83. Grosvenor Press International.

Bako, M.D. & Hunt, D.N. 1988. Derivation of Baseflow Constant Using Computer and Numerical Analysis. Journal of Hyrological Sciences; 33(4) pp. 357-367.

Bako, M.D. & Owoade, A. 1988. Field Application of Numerical Method for the Derivation of Baseflow Recession Constant. Hydrological Processes, 2(4) pp. 331-336.

Islam, M.R, & Bako, M.D. 1987. Petrology and Geochemical Studies of the Biu Plateau Basalts, Borno State, Nigeria. Annals of Borno Vol. 5. University of Maiduguri.

Owoade, A, Moffat, W.S. & Bako, M.D. 1988. Estimating Transmissivity from Short Duration Pumping Test on Large-Diameter Wells. International Conference on “Geosciences in Development.” Sponsored by the Inst. Of Geologist, Geological. Society of London. Inst of Metallurgy and Assoc. Geoscientist for Int. Dev. Nottingham. U.K.

Bako, M.D, Hunt, D.N. & Owoade, A. 1988. Separation of Groundwater and Residual Flow in Recession Analysis. International Conference on “Geosciences in Development.” Sponsored by the Inst. Of Geologist, Geological. Society of London. Inst of Metallurgy and Assoc. Geoscientist for Int. Dev. Nottingham. U.K.

Bako, M.D. 1988. Hydrogeology oh Hard Rock Areas in Britain. Research in Civil Engineering. Loughborough University. U.K.

Bako, M.D. 1989. Groundwater Investigation in Basement Complex Catchments. 15th Water, Engineering and Dev. Centre (WEDC), Conference. Kano. Nigeria.

O’Sullivan, A, Moffat, W.S. & Bako, M.D. 1989. Gravity Water Supply from Protected Catchments. 15th Water, Engineering and Dev. Centre (WEDC), Conference. Kano. Nigeria.
Owoade, A, Hutton, L.G., Moffat, W.S. & Bako, M.D. 1989. Groundwater Quality in Hard Rocks and its implication. Int. Symposium of Groundwater Management Quality and Quantity. Benidorm. Spain.

Owoade, A, Hutton, L.G., Moffat, W.S. & Bako, M.D. 1989. Hydrogeology and Water Chemistry in the Weathered Crystalline Rocks of Southwesern Nigeria>Groundwater Management: Quantity and Quality. IAHS Publ. no. 188

Owoade, A, & Bako, M.D. 1989. Riverflow Prediction During Baseflow Recession on Some British Hard Rock Catchments. International Assoc. Hydrologists (IAHS) Publication No. 187, Norway.

Onozie, B.O. & Bako, M.D. 1993. Challenges of Upper Niger Delta Hydrocarbon Exploration Efforts. 11th International Conference of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists. Lagos. Nigeria

Adegoke, O.S.; Ladipo, K.O., Bako.; M.D. & Umaru, A.F.M. 2015. Nigeria’s Frontier Basins – Unrealized Rift Systems Hydrocarbon Potential. Petroleum Systems in “Rift”Basins. 34th Annual GCSSEPM Foundation Perkins-Rosen Research Conference. Houston, Texas. U.S.A.

Ogunjemiyo, E.M, Bako, MD & Sejebor, D.S. 2016. Modelling the Impact of electric vehicle on Oil Price. 34th International Conference of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists. Lagos. Nigeria

Bako, M.D. 2016. Exploration Opportunities in Nigeria’s Inland Basins. 34th International Conference of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists. Lagos. Nigeria.

Bako, M.D, Zeev, B, Ohen, H & Luigi, C. 2018. Evaluation of the Hydrocarbon Potential of the Inland Basins of Nigeria – An Example of an Integrated Geological, Geophysical, Geochemical and remote sensing Study of Frontier Basins. AAPG International Conference & Exhibition. Cape Town. South Africa.

Bako, M.D. 2019. Prospectivity of Nigerian Inland Basins. Adding to Hydrocarbon Reserves. “Globl Energy Transformation – The effect and future of the African Oil Industry and Economy.” Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) on African Collaboration Workshop. Houston, Texas. USA.

In conclusion, “history is riddled with leaders that have left indelible mark in the sands of time.” Dr. Mazadu Dader Bako represents the promises of a future replete with hope and a sense of assurances. He’s got the Midas Touch literally. His legacies can’t be erased in the course of time. His goodwill can’t be lost in history. A physical review and assessment of his development interventions will move you to doff your hat for the leader per excellence. It is hoped that an overwhelming majority of the people of Plateau state will pitch their tents with his vision and join in the journey to rebuild Plateau State and project her future in positive light.

A Production of Dr. Mazadu Dader Bako Media Team

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Opinion: Dr. Mazadu Dader Bako: Unveiling the success story of an uncommon leader

About The Author
- Studied Mass Communication from the University of Jos. He is a Media Consultant, Journalist, a blogger, public relations practitioner and an advocate for social justice.