Abdussalam Abdulkarim Zaura

Abdussalam Abdulkarim Zaura (born 7 February 1977), also known as A. A. Zaura, is a Nigerian businessman, philanthropist, and politician. He is the founder of the A. A. Zaura Foundation, a non-governmental organization that focuses on humanitarian and developmental projects. He contested the Kano Central senatorial election in 2023 as a candidate of the APC, but lost to Rufa'i Hanga of the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP).[1][2][3][4]

A. A. Zaura
A. A. Zaura
Born
Abdussalam Abdulkarim Zaura

(1977-02-07) February 7, 1977 (age 47)
NationalityNigerian
CitizenshipNigeria
EducationPolitical Science
Alma materBaze University Abuja
Occupation(s)Business man, Politician
Known forPolitics
Political partyAPC
SpouseHauwa Abdussalam Abdulkarim

Early life and education

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Zaura was born in Dakata, Nassarawa Local Government, Kano State. He hails from Zaura Babba in Ungogo Local Government, Kano State. He completed his primary education in Zaura Babba and pursued his secondary education at Government Technical College Bagauda in Kano.

He obtained Diploma in Engineering from the School of Technology, Kano State Polytechnic, Kano in 2000

Zaura furthered his studies at Baze University in Abuja.[1][5] where he obtained BSC in Political Science and Public Administration, as well as Master's degree in Public Administration.[6]

Business

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Prior to venturing into politics, Zaura dedicated his efforts to business endeavors, especially in the oil and gas sector. He is the CEO of Zaura Energy Limited, an oil and gas company based in Kano, Nigeria.[7]

He is also the managing director of Plambeck Emirates Nigeria Limited, an oil and gas company operating in Nigeria with its headquarters in Germany. Zaura is also the managing director of Sals Core Limited, a company specializing in car sales and rentals.[8]

In November 2022, Abdussalam was accused of a $1.3 million fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was alleged to have obtained the money from one Bashir Jamilu under false pretenses of supplying him with petroleum products.[9][10]

After a thorough examination of the evidence, the court found Senator Zaura innocent of the charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)and the case was ruled in his favor.[11]

Philanthropy

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Zaura is the founder of the A. A. Zaura Foundation, a non-governmental organization that aims to improve the lives of the less privileged in Nigeria.[12] The foundation has carried out various humanitarian and developmental projects, such as providing scholarships, health care, water supply, and empowerment programs. Zaura has also donated money and materials to various causes, such as victims of fire outbreaks, flood disasters, and COVID-19 pandemic.[13][14][15][16]

In 2022, he offered 200 million naira worth of scholarship to 200 young people in Kano State[17]

Political life

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Abdulkarim joined politics in 2019, when he ran for the 2019 Kano State Governorship election under the Green Party of Nigeria (GPN).[18][19] He later defected to the APC and ran for the Kano Central Senatorial position in the 2023 general elections. He campaigned on the platform of youth empowerment, education, health, and infrastructure development.[20][21][22][23][24][25][excessive citations] However, he was unsuccessful in his bid and lost to Rufa'i Hanga of the NNPP.[26][27]

In December 2022, Zaura's motorcade was attacked in Gayawa village, Kano State by unknown assailants, leaving 17 people injured. Zaura condemned the attack and called for peace and security in the state.[28][29]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Philanthropic Activities My Priority - A A Zaura. -". 2021-10-11. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  2. ^ "A. A. Zaura: An Uncelebrated Kano Philanthropist". Nigerian Kicker. 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  3. ^ "Kano APC senatorial candidate: "I won't give in to pressure from my political adversaries"". The Guardian. 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  4. ^ Muhammad, Adamu (2022-04-12). "Kano central senatorial district: Who fits the cap?". Blueprint. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  5. ^ "Abdulkarim Abdulsalam Zaura Archives". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  6. ^ B.I, Margret (16 December 2023). "Mr Abdusalam Abdulkarim Zaura shares insight on economy diversification, business, Kano politics - Aluta News". Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  7. ^ "A. A ZAURA: NAGGING QUESTIONS TRAILING HIS LARGER THAN LIFE PERSONALITY". VOICE OF AREWA. 2022-01-31. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  8. ^ "EFCC to arrest APC senatorial candidate, A.A Zaura over alleged US$1.3million Fraud". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  9. ^ Bukar, Muhammad (2022-11-10). "Alleged $1.3m fraud: Court insists on Kano APC senatorial candidate, AA Zaura's arraignment". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  10. ^ Maishanu, Abubakar Ahmadu (2022-11-11). "Alleged $1.3million Fraud: Court orders Kano APC senatorial candidate to appear in person". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  11. ^ Majeed, Bakare (23 December 2023). "INTERVIEW: Why APC lost presidential, National Assembly polls in Kano — Senatorial candidate". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  12. ^ Elebeke, Emmanuel; Eromosele, Fortune (April 9, 2021). "Foundation offers scholarship to Kano students". Vanguard.
  13. ^ "I Joined Politics To Touch More Lives — A.A. Zaura". Leadership News. 2023-12-19. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  14. ^ "A.A Zaura Foundation". TheSightNews. 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  15. ^ admin. "AA-Zaura foundation to disburse N200m scholarship to 10,000 students". Global Patriot Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  16. ^ Yusufu, Aisha (2022-01-05). "Ɗan takarar gwamnan Kano AA Zaura zai tallafa wa dalibai ƴan asalin jihar Kano da tallafin kuɗi har naira Miliyan 200 - Premium Times Hausa". Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  17. ^ Usman, Mustapha (5 January 2022). "APPLY: Guber aspirant, AA Zaura, offers N200m scholarship to Kano students". Daily Nigerian. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  18. ^ Kabir, Muhammad; Telegraph, New (2023-05-23). "Senate Seat: APC AA Zaura Seek To Upturn NNPP Hanga Victory At Tribunal". New Telegraph. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  19. ^ Jaafar, Jaafar (2018-06-22). "Oshiomhole: I will ensure party supremacy as APC Chairman". Daily Nigerian. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  20. ^ "A.A. Zaura emerges APC candidate for Kano Central". The Daily Reality. 2022-05-28. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  21. ^ Oloyede, Clement A. (2022-12-08). "Kano Central: I won't succumb to pressure – APC senatorial candidate". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  22. ^ HotPen (2022-12-18). "Zaura: The most celebrated APC Candidate in Kano". HOTPEN. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  23. ^ Okoronkwo, Nnenna (2022-05-30). "Zaura Wins APC Kano Central Senatorial District Ticket". Voice of Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  24. ^ "Abdulkarim Abdulsalam Zaura". KYP Naija. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  25. ^ Olagoke, Bode (2021-04-30). "Zaura, former Kano gov. aspirant defects to APC". Blueprint Newspapers Limited: Breaking news happening now in Nigeria and todays latest newspaper headlines. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  26. ^ "Kano state Senatorial district election results and data 2023 - Stears Elections". www.stears.co. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  27. ^ Sulaiman (2023-07-24). "Kotun Koli Ta Tabbatar Da Nasarar Hanga A Matsayin Sanatan Kano Ta Tsakiya". Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  28. ^ "Kano APC Senatorial Candidate Motorcade Attacked, 17 Wounded, Vehicles Destroyed – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  29. ^ Muhammad, Abubakar (2022-12-19). "'Yan daba sun jikkata mutum 17 a ayarin A.A Zaura". Aminiya. Retrieved 2023-01-12.