Of course, birthdays of important personalities who have etched their names in the rocks of our country have come and gone, but the birthday of the Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to President Muhammadu Buhari, Colonel Mohammed Lawal Abubakar, must not be allowed to go unnoticed.
And his won’t go unnoticed because of many reasons, chief among which is his simplicity, easy-going nature and unassuming personality.
Inability to celebrate Abubakar, who was born in Wusasa, Zaria, and turns 45 years old on March 28, 2018, would be equal to belittling his accomplishments in his chosen military career and, above all, significantly downplaying the true essence of humanity which is to live calm and modest life.
Living calm and modest life, like Abubakar does, indeed, brings more happiness than the constant pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness, which Albert Eistein tried to dissuade humanity from in his theory of happiness. Thus, it seems, that in Abubakar, humanity has found a new Eistein who does not only share the life view of Albert but also tries to measure up to his intelligence.
Abubakar attended Nigerian Military School (NMS) Zaria from 1985 to 1990 where he developed early leadership skills, and as fate would have it, like Buhari, Abubakar was also the head boy of his school, popularly known as Boy Regimental Sergeant Major.
After graduating from the NMS in 1990, he went to the famous Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria before he later proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1992 and became a member of the 44 Regular Course. While there, he studied Biological Sciences.
Abubakar is a tested and experienced commander, trained and discipline instructor, security manager and a talented investigator. He had served in various army units and formations within and outside the country at different capacities. These include his stint at the Lagos Garrison Command as Provost, United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police Admin Company Apapa Lagos, Special Investigation Bureau Apapa Lagos (Briefly) and Army Headquarters Provost Group Lokoja.
He was also at the Nigerian Army School of Military Police Basawa, Zaria, for four years as an Instructor and Staff Officer Grade 2 training and operations, Nigerian Defence Academy Provost Kaduna as Commander NDA Provost and an Instructor, then Seven (7) Division Provost Group Maiduguri as the pioneer Acting Provost Commander.
Abubakar was also the Camp Commandant, Giwa Barracks detention facility (Operation Zaman Lafiya), between November 2013 – 2014 and held over 1,500 suspected Boko Haram Terrorist detainees. He was the first Camp Commandant to host/receive the International Committee of the Red Cross and Crescent to the detention facility in January 2014.
Furthermore, he served at the Nigerian Army Training Centre Kontagora as Staff Officer Grade One Operations and Training. He also coordinated the training of 143 Battalion on Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency with the United States Rangers and the British Military Advisory Training Teams respectively.
Abubakar was, finally and deservedly, appointed ADC to Mr President, Federal Republic of Nigeria in May 2015.
Colonel Abubakar has attended courses, several seminars and workshops. He attended Young Officers’ Course Infantry, Military Police Officers’ Basic Course, Regimental Signal Officers’ Course and Police Administration and Security Management Course. Others courses include; Junior Division Course (Army), Military Police Officers’ Advanced Course, Senior Course (32) Army, Joint Military Adviser/Attachee Course and Alternative Dispute Resolution Course at Dubai (United Arab Emirate).
Colonel ML Abubakar has the following qualifications; Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Masters in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice and Masters in International Affairs and Diplomacy (MIAD) both from A B U Zaria respectively.
He has earned numerous decorations and medals in the course of his service to the nation including the Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Passed Staff College (psc), Passed Junior Staff Course (pjsc), Command Medal (CM), Field Command Medal (FCM) and United Nation Mission in Sierra Leone Medal (UNAMSIL). Others are; General Operations Medal (GOM), Golden Jubilee Medal, Centenary and Operation Zaman Lafiya Medals.
Colonel Abubakar has travelled to over 40 countries, and is happily married to Hajiya Fatima Musa and blessed with a daughter named A’isha Nawal.