Biography of Surv. (Dr.) Mark Ma’aku Joshua, MNIS, NES

Early Life and Background

Dr. Mark Ma’aku Joshua was born on February 15, 1975, in Ritti Village, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. He is the son of the late Manu Dan’asabe Joshua Tsokwa and Mama Keziya Dan’asabe Joshua Tsokwa. Growing up in a supportive family environment, Dr. Joshua was instilled with the values of education, hard work, and community service from an early age.

Educational Pursuits and Qualifications

Dr. Joshua’s academic journey began at Ritti Primary School, where he completed his primary education from 1984 to 1989. He then advanced to Government Junior Secondary School, Wukari, for his secondary education, graduating in 1992. Driven by a desire to make a positive impact on society, he chose to attend Government Teacher’s College, Wukari, as part of the pioneering set created by the 6:3:3:4 education system in Nigeria, earning his Teachers’ Grade II Certificate in 1995.

In 1998, Dr. Joshua pursued a Certificate in Land Surveying at the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, which he completed in 1999. His background in the Arts initially led him to a certificate class; however, his passion for science propelled him to excel academically. He continued his studies at the same institution, graduating as the second-best student in the Department with a Diploma in Surveying and Geoinformatics in 2002, where he achieved the honor of being the best graduating student.

Dr. Joshua’s quest for knowledge did not end there. He gained admission to the Federal University of Technology Yola (now known as MAUTECH) in 2005 via direct entry and graduated in 2009 with a Second Class Upper Division degree in Surveying and Geo-Informatics, despite his Arts background. Following his graduation, he participated in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, during the 2010 Batch B.

In 2015, Dr. Joshua successfully registered and passed the professional examination of the Surveyors Council of Nigeria, becoming a certified Surveyor. His dedication to furthering his education led him to secure a federal scholarship for a Master’s degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in collaboration with the African Institute for Geospatial Sciences. He graduated in 2017.

Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to his academic ambitions, Dr. Joshua pursued a Ph.D. in Environmental Resources Management (GIS option) at Taraba State University, Jalingo. He made history as the first Ph.D. graduate in the Department of Geography, completing his degree on July 7, 2023.

Marriage and Family Life

Dr. Joshua is a devoted husband and father. He married his beautiful wife, Mrs. Rifkatu Laraba Mark, on October 5, 2002. Together, they have been blessed with four wonderful children: a daughter, Juliet Chibuma Ma’aku Joshua, and three sons, Jerome Chidonkai Ma’aku Joshua, Jesse Andochia Ma’aku Joshua, and James Amatsaka Ma’aku Joshua. Dr. Joshua values family life and strives to instill the importance of education and community service in his children.

Civil Service Career

Dr. Mark Ma’aku Joshua began his civil service career with the Taraba State Government in 1996. Driven by the desire to make a difference in society following the loss of his father in 1985, he viewed education as a pivotal tool for personal and societal growth. He began as a Survey Attendant and steadily advanced through the ranks to reach the Director level within the Taraba State Boundary Commission.

In addition to his government service, Dr. Joshua served as a part-time lecturer at Taraba State University from 2011 until 2022, when he voluntarily resigned to focus on his growing responsibilities in the public sector. His exemplary performance led to his appointment as the Program Manager for the Taraba Property Records Programme, which has since evolved into the Taraba State Geographic Information Systems (TAGIS). In August 2022, he was appointed as the General Manager of TAGIS by Governor Darius Ishaku. Subsequently, on September 17, 2024, he was appointed as the Director General of Taraba Geographic Information Service by the visionary leader, Dr. Agbu Kefas, where he is poised to make significant contributions to the state’s development.

Conclusion

Dr. Mark Ma’aku Joshua’s life is a testament to resilience, dedication, and the transformative power of education.

His journey from humble beginnings to becoming a prominent figure in surveying and geoinformatics exemplifies his commitment to serving his community.