Abba Gana was the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja 2001-203 before Nasir El Rufai. He was redeployed as Special Adviser to President Obasanjo. Born 11 November 1953 in Damboa, Borno State, Abba-Gana was educated at Barewa College, Zaria, 1959-63; Provincial Secondary School, Okene 1964-65; and Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, 1966-69[i]. Gana married Habiba Abba Gana 1984, and Chichi Abba Gana.
Aba Gana obtained a degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 1971-75, after which he commenced his career as Executive Director (Corporate Services) – African Petroleum Plc. He was later the Borno State Commissioner for Agriculture, proceeding to become Deputy Chief Marketing Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC; Acting Secretary, Borno State Housing Corporation; Planning Officer, Borno State Ministry of Finance & Economic Planning; Managing Director, African Petroleum Plc, 1991[ii].
When Abba Gana was asked by a senator whether he had approved the allocation of any plot of land to his family members, he answered in the affirmative, and added that “charity begins at home”[iii].
[i] TELL 17 November, 2003
[ii] Newswatch Who is Who, 1991
[iii] The Accidental Public Servant, Nasir Ahmad El Rufai, Safari Books Ibadan, 2013