Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Kwara State, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, who turns 55 today unwinds by playing golf.

At 55, the Chairman of Lubcon Group Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, who recently joined the Kwara State governorship race, sees exercise as a necessity, and this probably, is the secret of his healthy look. And his favourite pastime is playing golf, a game he says is the most exciting in the world.

For Ibrahim, a former Managing Director of the defunct Nigerian Airways Limited, "Golf is very challenging to get your body mechanics and mind focused on striking the ball the right way and you have to apply that to different situations on the course." But golf is not his only way of relaxing.

Apart from the game of golf, the aspirant who has resolved to contest the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election in Kwara, also visits the gym regularly and reads books among others.

According to him, "Golf is one of the most exciting games in the world. So, when I am free, I play golf. I like reading books as well, and of course, newspapers. I also work out.

Apart from the physical activities he embarks on to keep the body and soul together, he avers that he also finds joy in empowering people. Ibrahim is one of the reputable businessmen and renowned philanthropists in the state, who have put smiles on the faces of kwara people.

As someone who has his people at heart, over a decade ago, he conceived the idea of building his business empire around his people, to enable him create sufficient employment in his state. Ibrahim, today, is rated the number two largest employer of labour after the Kwara State Government in the state.

And as someone who understands the needs and challenges of the people of Kwara, many see him as someone who can take the state to the promise land, and this however, is behind his conviction to throw his hat into the ring for the number one seat in the state.

His main focus for Kwara is derived from his name JANI (Jobs, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Infrastructural Development. Top on his Agenda is reducing the cost of governance and tight management of the resources as well as increasing the Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state so that he can address youth education, empowerment and employment to reduce crime and create wealth in the state.

He also intends to address education through the renovation of schools, re-equipment and re-orientation of the people. On the area of health, Ibrahim intends to improve healthcare by providing drugs to reduce infant mortality and maternal deaths in the state. Apart from his contribution in the state, many believe that his intimidating profile, could earn him the PDP governorship ticket to enable the party challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.

Ibrahim attended Kings College, Lagos from where he graduated with distinction in the West African School Certificate Examination (WAEC). After his A'Levels, he proceeded to the United Kingdom to study Mechanical Engineering on a British scholarship and graduated with First Class Honours.

He started his work career with BP London before returning to Nigeria to work with African Petroleum Plc and later with Unipetrol Nigeria Plc (now Oando Plc).

At Unipetrol, he rose to become the Chief Executive Officer of Stallion Property and Development Company (a joint venture between Unipetrol and NNPC), and in 1997, he was appointed the Managing Director of Nigeria Airways from where he ventured into private business - Lubcon Group - in 1999.

Lubcon Group of which he chairs is one of the biggest providers of employment today in Kwara State. He also has business interests in oil and gas, construction, hospitality industry and manufacturing.

A Chartered Engineer, Ibrahim is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and a member of the Energy Institute of the United Kingdom (UK). He is also an alumnus of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru from where he graduated in 1994 and has served as Secretary General of the Alumni Association of the National Institute.

On June 21, 2013, Ibrahim was inducted as a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering at the Main Auditorium of the University of Lagos, Akoka during the 2013 Annual Lecture of the Academy.