Abubakar Koko

Alhaji Abubakar Garba Koko, , Sarkin Yakin Gwandu, (1937 – 26 December 2003), was a Nigerian civil servant, Administrator, and Politician who served as the first Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Abuja. He planned and executed the development of Nigeria's new federal capital in the 80s.

Early life and education He was born in Birnin Kebbi, in 1937, and attended elementary school in Sokoto, and middle school in Katsina. Koko later attended the Ilorin Institute of Education where he trained to become a Teacher. He also studied administration at Ahmadu Bello University, and later at Wadham College, Oxford University.

Career and politics From 1955 to 1981, Koko worked as a Teacher and Administrative officer, and later served on many company boards. + BoardTitleNBCI Cooperative Bank, SokotoChairmanABU Zaria CouncilMemberNorth Western StatePermanent SecretaryFCDA AbujaExecutive SecretaryMinistry of AviationPermanent SecretaryHabib Bank LimitedDirectorDolphine Fisheries LimitedChairmanSangara FarmsChairmanE.M.C LimitedChairman Koko was a member of several Nigerian political parties, some of which are now defunct. These include the Social democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Front of Nigeria, United Nigeria Congress Party, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Awolowo as a politician and a representative of the Yoruba people defended their claims against the move of the Capital from Lagos. During the Hotly contested campaign for presidency, He vowed to hire the American Walt Disney Corporation to convert the new site (Abuja) into an amusement park if he was elected.

The International Planning Associates (IPA) was commissioned in June, 1977, by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to produce the Abuja Master Plan and its regional grid. According to the terms of reference, the master planning process was to include a review of relevant data, selection of a capital city site, preparation of regional and city plans and the accompanying design and development standards manual. In the preface to the master plan, the following declaration was made by IPA:

Legacy In a book written in honor of Alhaji Abubakar 'With All My Strength ' a Minister in the second republic Alhaji Idris Koko, said:

Abubakar Koko Crescent, and Abubakar Koko Avenue in Abuja are named after him. He also had the traditional title of 'Sarkin Yakin Gwandu' which later passed on to his son. Alhaji Koko was also Awarded Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).

Personal life Koko was a sunni Muslim, and had 3 wives. He also had 18 children, ten Sons, and eight Daughters.