POSITIONS HELD

Uniform Prefect – Government Day Secondary School, Kurmin Mashi (1990-1991)
Public Relations Officer Muslim Students Society, Government Day Secondary School Kurmin Mashi (1990-1991)
Security Officer (Admin) New Nigerian Newspapers (22nd November, 1995-20th February 1997)
Transfered to Gaskiya Ta fi Kwabo as a Reporter (20th February1997)
Also transfered to Sunday New Nigerian as Reporter (29th May, 1997
Public Relations Officer, Northern Elders Forum (2000)
Correspondent with Hotline Newsmagazine January (2001)
Freelance Journalist with Crystal International Newsmagazine (October 2001)

Leader of Northern Youth Delegation to Port Harcourt Conference on Arewa/Niger-Delta Youth dialogue (2006).

Chairman, Northern and Southern Kaduna Youth Committee on Kaduna Religious Crisis (2006)
Chairman, All Northern Youth Summit (2006)
State Youth Leader, Action Congress (AC) Kaduna State (January -December 2006)
Secretary Zazzau Emirate's Publicity Committee on State creation (2006)
Chairman PDP Electoral Panel, Akwa Ibom State (December, 2006)
Elected Vice Chairman, Kaduna North Local Government under the platform of PDP (4th Feb, 2008) and voluntarily resigned on the 24th June, 2009
Founder / CEO, Jita Group of Companies

WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES/ /SYMPOSIA/ SEMINARS ATTENDED

"Tranquility through religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence", symposium organized by National Tranquility Movement (January 1996)

Two-day seminar on "culture and education for peace", organized by National Institute for Cultural Orientation, Igamu Lagos (28th June, 1996)

One week workshop on "Formation of cooperative Societies and Income Generating Skills" organized by Women Progressive Association in collaboration with National Tranquility Movement, (September 1997).

"Understanding Government Reform Policy" organized by Personal Assistant to the President (Students and Youth Affairs), (12th – 14th May 2004).

Zonal Youth Retreat: North-West, organized by the International Republican Institute in Kano (27th -28th June 2006).

Attended 2 days Capacity Building Workshop for Leaders of Registered Political Parties in Kaduna State (10th – 11th July 2006)organized by Bridge Builders Association in collaboration with British High Commission.

Training Programme on Leadership for Top Local Government Officials, organized by United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) (March 25th – April 14th 2008)

AWARDS/HONOURS

Award of recognition by National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS-Zone A – (September 2005)

Iberedem-Oku traditional title for service and innovative contributions to Oku Clan (Akwa Ibom State) and humanity in general (September 2006)

Award of Excellence for contribution to the development of democracy and the society by Kaduna North Local Government PDP Youth Forum (April 2007)

Merit Award for contribution to the Association and Department of Estate Management, Kaduna Polytechnic (August 2007)

Award of Excellence for Exemplary Leadership – National Association of Polytechnic Accountancy Students 2007/2008

Certificate of Honour for contribution to Kawo District and Kaduna State Government – Kawo -District Council (April 2008)

Honorary Membership Award for unflinching commitment to African Youth Development, presented by Building a Better Nigeria African Youth Development.

Certificate of Merit for good record – Kawo Constituency Youth Political Awareness Forum (May 2008)

Distinguished Merit Award Certificate for Excellence for Laudable contributions toward the development of Kaduna South Local Government – by Concerned Youth Organization Kaduna South (2008)

Most Distinguished Vice Chairman and Icon of Exemplary Leadership – National Union of Northern Nigeria Students (2008/2009)

Vice Chairman of the year 2008, awarded by Coalition of Kaduna State Youth Fora

Award of Excellence for selfless, honest, valuable performance, diligence to educational development, students' economic and political empowerment – National Union of Northern Nigeria Students (May 2009)

Award for Continuous and Selfless Support to the students of Estate Management Department, Kaduna Polytechnic – Estate Management Students' Association, (August 2009)

Certificate of Recommendation for outstanding contributions towards the development of education in Kaduna North Local Government – awarded by Arewa Publishers Union

Certificate of Recognition as man of the year 2008, awarded by the Management Students Association Kaduna Polytechnic (28th October, 2008).

Model award as Hope of Muslim Ummah 2008 - awarded by Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Kaduna Polytechnic Chapter.

Certificate of Exemplary Leadership (30th April, 2008), awarded by the Joint Council of Workers Union, Kaduna North Local Govt. Chapter

MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES

Member, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations
Member, Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (KADCIMA)
Member, Nigeria Import and Export Promotions Council,
Member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

HOBBIES

Golf, Tennis and Travelling

MARITAL STATUS
Married with children

KADUNA BIG BOY HITS IT BIG @ 39
JIBRIL TAFIDA Reveals His Success Story
+ How He Plays Big In Business and Politics
He is handsome and hard working. This young man's name is on the lips of the who-is –who in Kaduna state after having achieved so much in such a short while. With properties and various business interest scattered all over the state, Jibril Tafida, chairman of jita Holding is not doing badly for Himself. Sources say that he recently built a holiday resort and multi-million naira farm along Kaduna /Lagos express way which would be commissioned soon. A young entrepreneur and business, Tafida has been providing jobs for many youth in Kaduna and Kano. No wonder, he is popularly referred to as the young entrepreneur. 39- Years old Jibril Tafida is also a successful politician as he is the youngest PDP Electoral Panel Chairman (2006) ever in Nigeria's history. On grounds of principle he relinquished his position as Vice Chairman of Kaduna North Local Government about 5 years ago. Getting Jibril to speak was not easy. After months of tracking him for an interview, city people's ASABE NDOMA sat down with him for a close-up on his lifestyle, career and politics.

Who is Jibril Tafida?
(Laughs) Well I am a proper Kaduna boy as I was born and bred here and also married here. I went to secondary school in Kaduna. I have a Higher National Diploma in Business Management from standard Academy and Diploma in Law.

Why do people call you the Youngest Entrepreneur?
I think it is because of the environment we are in, where most of the business are run by the old brigade. Actually, it is challenging especially in business meetings where you hardly find your age-mates but the people above your age who often consider your opinions too radical. Contributions in such meetings become difficult for you and it is not supposed to be like that. The Nigeria youth prefer politics to business. Think that is one reason you hardly find young people in the business circle. Some believe business is the farming business. Despite the challenges, I'm enjoying doing it and it gives me pleasure.

You seem like a tough businessman?
To succeed in any thing you d, you must be focused and committed so I just try to lead by example.

How do you cope despite the demands of business?
Sure business is demanding especially when you are managing not just one investment. In my own case I have 2 successful companies; real estate and agro-allied. The most difficult task in every business is human resources management. You find out heat many are not ready to work but like to make changes, sack and replace anyone who is not ready to be part of the success.

How do you relax?
As a human being you have to learn how to relax with family and friends, but sometimes you tend to forget even the family. In life, you have to choose one; between business and pleasure. In my own case I try to spare at least 2 to 3 hours for leisure in a day, if I am in town. Within these 3 hours, I either go riding or play with the children.

How much have you used your business to empower the youths?
We have a platform called Lawal Tafida Foundation, named after our late father. It is responsible for youth empowerment and community development especially in communities where we have our investments. We have scholarship scheme, health support and employment programmes and we have succeeded in sponsoring many young people to the Universities, polytechnics, colleges of education. Within the last two years, we have sponsored 7 graduates for short courses in Nigeria Universities. We donated marker board to the Estate Management Department in Kaduna polytechnic and writing materials to primary schools pupils in Kaduna North Local Government. We also built 2 Islamic Schools at Kurmin Marshi and Airport Road. Time may not allow me to list all that the foundation has achieved since we started business 5 years ago. I know what it takes for somebody to go to school, especially in difficult times such as this. I did not have the opportunity to go to school early enough due to lack of support at that time. That experience has always reminded me of the past and how to assist the next generation by giving all the support necessary to ensure that they do not suffer like we did.

Let take a look at your foray in politics. What would you say necessitated your appointment as Chairman of PDP Electoral Panel for Akwa Ibom State?
"My appointment was an inspiration to all Nigerian youths and they now believe they can be given the opportunity to serve their country in any capacity and will be appreciated by all"
First and foremost. I am card-carrying member of PDP, who legally is entitled to holding any position I the party like any other Nigerian. My appointment was made by the NEC of our party after the first electoral panel was dissolved for something the party was not happy with. The Leadership decided to re-constitute another panel that would be acceptable to the people and I was asked to chair. To me, my appointment was a call to serve and we all took that as a challenge to give our members free, fair and acceptable primaries.

How come you were the youngest of all the PDP Electoral Panel Chairman in Nigeria at that time?
I don't think age has any thing to do with service but it was challenging especially in terms of implementation of certain decisions. To find yourself in such a position of conducting an election such as Governorship was a big task, but it was an opportunity to show to the world that if given the chance, the Nigerian youth can do more, if not better. My appointment was an inspiration to Nigerian youth and they now believe they can be given the opportunity to serve their country I any capacity and will be appreciated by all.

Some have the notion that you were appointed Chairman just to ensure the emergence of Governor Godswill Akpabio, what really happened?
I never met Governor Akpabio before the primaries and how could I have worked for someone I did not know? We met at the party secretariat during one of our briefings or meeting with the party members in UYO. I could remember one incident that happened at the party office; when he came to complain of some mix-up in the delegate's list of his Local Government and I did not know he was among the aspirants, but I treated him like any other party member. The insinuation that I went to Akwa Ibom to return him is an imagination of some people.

What was your relationship with the former president Obasanjo and the then National Chairman of the party, Colonel Ahmadu Ali?
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was Nigerian president and Col. Ahmadu Ali was my party Chairman. I have no personal relationship with the duo, but I worked under Ahmadu Ali briefly as the electoral panel chairman of Akwa Ibom state. However, I have great respect for the 2 leader statesmen.

Some aspirant complained bitterly about your strong-headedness, alleging that you even refused to listen to their formal complaints on the primaries. What would you say to this?
Whenever you take decision contrary to the personal wishes of some people, you will be called all sorts of names. We took some decisions for the good of all and the interest of the party, especially on issues to do with the election and you don't do things just because you want people to say you are good. I have no regret for every action we took during the primaries; it was done in good faith and for the interest of the party.

Many people suspected you of being a security agent and therefore accused you of using security apparatus during the election to intimidate aspirants, for example the reported detention of the State's party Treasurer inside a bus. How would you respond to this?
I have never been a security agent in my life, but a serious politician who believes in the rule of law, due process and decent approach to issues. Some of us politicians like things done our own way and it is not meant to be like that. During the primaries some members tried to go against the electoral laws and we dealt with them according to the guidelines of the party, to ensure a level-playing field for everyone in the party. I had nothing personal against anyone, every thing we did was to ensure decency in our polity.

What id your assessment of that Akwa Ibom primaries in general?
The primaries was rated as one of our party. We ensured that due process was followed and everyone was given the opportunity, to play his role, but like every other election we had some shortcomings. To many observers, it was free and fair.

How would you rate the performance of Governor Akpabio?
as you know, the Governor is doing well in the state especially areas like education, health and infrastructures. Based on reports, the governor can be rated as the best in the country today.

What do you have a passion for?
Helping the less privileged in the society.

The founder/CEO, Jita Group Mal. Jibril L. Tafida recieved merit award in recognition and appreciation of his contribution to theDevelopment of Islamic education by Islamic Da'aara & Irshad Association (IDIA) Kaduna State.