ABOUT CYRSTAL ASSOCIATES

EXPERIENCES

Crystal Associates has, in its short period of existence, successfully executed a number of Consultancy projects in the areas of Management, Finance, and Institutional Capacity Building. Other jobs handled by our firm include preparation of feasibility studies, corporate reorganization and re-engineering and other system wide corporate reform and re-structuring.

A.     CONSULTANCY PROJECTS

• We were commissioned by The David & Lucile Packard Foundation on a one year contract to build institutional capacity of 5 no. organizations. The programme entails Organizational Assessment, Training and Performance enhancement as well as Mentoring segments. (ON GOING)


• Crystal Associates has recently been commissioned by Ja’iz International Bank Plc to undertake feasibility studies for the bank. In addition we undertook the feasibility study for the establishment of Jaiz Finance and Investment Company Ltd in year 2007. (ON GOING)


• Crystal Associates Consulted for the Bauchi State Government in June 2007 on the Resuscitaion and Repositioning of Bauchi Fertilizer Blending Company Ltd. The report has been submitted to the State Government.


• Similarly, we were commissioned, in July 2007, to conduct an Assessment and Financial Viability Analysis of Arewa Ceramics Ltd., Azare.


• In April 2007, Crystal Associates was engaged by a successful corporate firm, NALADO Nig Ltd., to carry out Consultancy work on Restructuring and reorganization of the company for improved Organizational effectiveness and enhanced Performance. (ON GOING)


• Since 2004, we have been involved with the assessment (feasibility studies etc) and the establishment of Multi-million Naira, first class IT training institution located in Kaduna – Legacy Computer Institute (LCI).  Currently our company is entrusted with the responsibility of running the institute under a renewable management contract until substantive management is put in place. (ON GOING)

• We were the consultants for the Raw Materials Research and Development Company for Gwarzo Kaolin processing plant assessment and the divestment exercise. The contact entailed detailed technical and financial assessment with a view to establishing the value of the enterprise.


• Crystal Associates was engaged by Federal Character Commission to undertake analysis of staff in all Federal Government Institutions for 1996 and part of 1997. We were also opportune to have offered consultancy services for the commission in the areas of data analysis and computer training.

B.         TRAINING PROGRAMMES CONDUCTED
Over the years, our Principal Consultants had participated in the designing and the execution of several training programmes for various organizations in the energy sector, as well as financial and public sectors.   Some of the major clients are listed below.

i) The David & Lucile Packard Foundation
ii) NNPC (HRDD) - Corporate Headquarters)
iii) CBN- Central Bank of Nigeria
iv) KRPC- Kaduna Refining & Petrochemicals Co. Ltd.
v) IBN - Inland Bank Nigeria Plc
vi) LBN – Lion Bank Nigeria Plc
vii) PEF – Petroleum Equalization Fund (Management) Board

BRIEF PROFILE OF THE PRINCIPAL PARTNERS

i)          Alh. B. M. Bugaje, B.Sc., M.Sc. (Economics)
A graduate of A.B.U., Zaria in 1981 majoring in Finance & Banking and a holder of M.Sc. Degree in Economics (Money and Finance) from the University of Jos.  He has attended many courses on financial management in Nigeria and abroad.

Alhaji Bugaje is a seasoned banker with over 20 years of banking experience.  His career in banking started with Savannah Bank and was Branch Manager at several branches before he later rose to the position of Personnel Manager.  In 1992 he joined Gamji Bank of Nigeria Plc as an Assistant General Manager.  He was General Manager (Operations) with Inland bank (Nigeria) Plc between 1993 and 1995.  He was the Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Administration, National Insurance Commission, (NAICOM) 2001-2002 and Managing Director, Inland Bank Nigeria Plc from 2002 to 2003. Additionally, He is the immediate past Managing Director of Bank of the North.

ii)         M.N. Maiturare, B.Sc, MBA, Ph.D.
Dr. Maiturare is a dedicated Academician who has been involved in various academic activities and Consultancy Projects since his graduation from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 17 years ago.   He has participated in numerous Consultancy assignments for such reputable Consultancy firms as Ahmadu Bello University Consultancy Services (ABUCONS) Ltd. He has also been a resource person in all the Consultancy assignment carried out by Crystal Associates.
Dr. M.N. Maiturare is currently Asst. Director, Directorate of Academic Planning & Monitoring and also the Dean Faculty of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

iii) Yusuf Abdullahi, B.Sc, MBA, MIMC Mallam Abdullahi graduated 16 years ago from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. As a lecturer, he has participated in numerous consultancy assignments for such reputable consultancy firms as Ahmadu Bello University Consultancy Services (ABUCONS), Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Zaria and Abuja chapter and others. He was a lecturer with the Polytechnic Birnin-Kebbi from 1989 to 1992 and presently a lecturer with the Department of Business Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 1993 to date.

iv) Sarah Reng Ochekpe, B.Sc., MPA Sarah Reng Ochekpe is a Political Science graduate. She also obtained a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Jos. She is currently the Policy Adviser of Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA). As the Policy Adviser, her responsibilities include; Coordination of the National Secretariat; Designing of Program; Preparation of Proposals for External Funding; Engagement with Donor Organization involved in Education; Facilitation of Training Sessions; Advocacy Campaign for Quality Education; High Level Engagement with Policy Makers (executive and legislature); Representation of the Coalition at International Meetings and Forum on Education; Documentation of all Engagements; Coordinating the Nigeria Coalition on Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP).
Sarah possesses skills in communication, advocacy, community mobilizing, facilitation and training, proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation, action research, negotiation, use of information technology etc. She has attended various senior management courses both locally and abroad.

v)       A.M. Abu-Abdissamad, B.ED (Maths Educ), MBA, Ph.D., AMNIM
Dr. A.M. Abu-Abdissamad is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.   Abu-Abdissamad has more than twenty years of teaching experience.  He started as Grade II teacher in 1973, and then a mathematics tutor in a Teachers' College in 1975.  He became Education Officer I/c Statistics section of the Ministry of Education headquarters in Jos in 1980-81.   After his MBA, degree in 1983, he joined the services of the University of Jos in the same year.  He has served as a resource person to major consultancy firms such as University of Jos Consultancy Services, Ahmadu Bello University Consultancy Services,  (ABUCONS), and others.
Abu-Abdissamad currently lectures in the Department of Business Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

vi)      I.N. Sada, LLB, BL, LLM, Ph.D
Dr. I.N. Sada is a distinguished Academician with the Faculty of Law Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. Dr. I. N. Sada has had brilliant record of scholarly achievements in the field of both Islamic Law and English Law.  
In recognition of his legal Expertise a number of governments (both state and federal) have sought and utilised his legal Counsel on various matters of economy and state. He is currently a commissioner in the National Human Rights Commission.

vii)     Bashiru Jumare, B.Sc(Economics), MPA.
Bashiru Jumare graduated 16  years ago from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (A.B.U), with a degree in Economics.  He has participated in numerous teaching and researches in the Department of Local Government Studies and ABUCONS Ltd., A.B.U, Zaria.  In 1991, he participated in the training of UNDP Programme on population and development.
He was a project team member of ODA/ABU Project on Rapid Rural Appraisal Techniques (1988-1992).  He was a Facilitator on the UNDP Programme on sustainable Human Development NIR/91/009 held at Kongo Conference Hotel(March-November, 1996). His areas of specialization include Economic Analysis, Research and Project Evaluation Study, Economic Development and Human resource development in Government and Private Sector.

viii)   Garba Bala Magaji, B.Sc. MBF
Garba Bala Magaji is a graduate of Economics from Ahmadu Bello University and M.Sc. Banking & Finance from University of Ibadan and presently a lecturer with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and pursuing a Ph.D programme at Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto.
He worked in the banking sector before resigning to establish his own businesses. He founded and nurtured a consulting and  finance company Amiete Trust and Investments Limited and another commodity trading company Baghamm Commodities Limited into very successful ventures. Garba Bala Magaji has attended various local and international workshops and conferences on finance and management.

ix)    Muhammad Auwalu Haruna B.Sc. MBF
Muhammad Auwalu Haruna holds a B.Sc. Economics degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and M.Sc Banking & Finance from University of Ibadan. He has been awarded the Lagos Business School’s case study based Advanced Diploma in Management. He has completed the course work for M.Sc/PhD (Economics) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Currently he lectures full time in Ahmadu Bello University and part-time Masters in Treasury Management classes at Bayero University, Kano.

x)      Mustapha M. Zakari
Mustapha M. Zakari an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, is the Managing Director/CEO of Powersim Africa (Nigeria) Limited, a simulation-based management strategy consulting company affiliated to Powersim Solutions Inc, USA, a world leading provider of  simulation-based strategic planning solutions.
He has attended several financing, banking and management courses and participated in several local and international strategic planning and human resource management workshops/seminars.

OTHER   CONSULTANTS
Other consultants retained by Crystal Associates include, among others, the following Professionals.
i.   Dr. A.B. Akpan (B.Sc, MBA, Ph.D)
ii.   Dr. I.A. Aliyu (L.L.B, L.L.M, Ph.D)
iii.   Dr. A.A. Abdulkareem (B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D)
iv.   Dr. Sani Abdullahi (B.Sc., MBA, Ph.D)
v.     Bello Sabo  (B.Sc., MBA,)
vi.   Dr. B.Y. Ibrahim (L.L.B, L.L.M, Ph.D)
vii.   Dr. N. I. Mayana  (B.Sc., MBA, Ph.D)
viii.   Dr. M.A.M. Mainoma (B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D)
viii.   Bashir Dalhat (B.Sc., MBA,)