By:
Farouk Ozigi Onimisi
(The White Orator)
It was a remarkable day in the life of Kogi State Honourable Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Ohere, as he receives executive of Ohere Educational Outreach earlier today in the capital city of Kogi State, Lokoja. The body which cuts across the five local governments in Kogi Central came on behalf of her beneficiaries in the oneness of appreciating a man who took up their responsibilities of attaining qualitative and desired education.
The leader of the group, Mrs. Ibrahim Haleema in her remark after giving glory to Almighty Allah said if there ever be a time Kogi Central has had such tremendous attention from government, it was now. Recalling the past Ebira politics and its negative consequences, Halimat said through the Ohere Educational Outreach birthed at the onset of GYB-led-administration, the impacts of lives touched are immeasurable. “In this very outreach, we have produced essentially, post-graduates in various fields of studies. Equally, we currently have those undergoing their Masters Degree programmes as well as several undergraduate Kogi Central students benefiting from this outreach proudly sponsored by our unique and dynamic father, leader and philanthropist, Alh. (Engr). Abubakar Ohere (FNSE), Kogi State Honourable Commissioner for Works and Housing.
“We are grateful to His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello who charged Egnr. Ohere with such responsibility. GYB’s penchants for education and sustainable development of Kogi State is a most appreciated one and we have clearly seen in his New Direction Government, a government of the people taking pleasure in her services to humanity.” She ended her speech by presenting an award of appreciation on behalf of the beneficiaries as well as a medal in marking the 55 years of Hon. Ohere specially reserved for this day.
According to Mr. Onoruoyiza, one of the spokespersons, some of the proud beneficiaries of the project are already impacting lives in the areas of medical, science, and economics within and out side the shores of Nigeria. He equally made emphasis on overseas students proudly on the sponsorship of this great project.
In his remark, Egnr. Ohere thanked Almighty Allah sustaining him with such capacity as well as appreciating his leader, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello who continues finding him worthy in the quest of making Kogi State, confluence city of all. He further expressed his unalloyed happiness before the graduates and post-graduates elites who were all beneficiaries of his educational outreach.
Responding further, Ohere reiterated that whatever are being achieved by the outreach was because we have His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. To him, GYB owns the initiative and all the glory goes to him after God. He added the outreach apart from scholarship has produced learning materials to pupils, students and built facilities on the orders of His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello to enhance educational development in the state. The body, he also said, has at various times procured WAEC and JAMB forms for indigent students and the government is prepared at doing more for the good people of Kogi State.
Elaborating on the negligence of past Kogi leaders in proferring adequate solutions to sustainable development, Commissioner Ohere reflected on the myriad of problems which has affected the lives of Ebira citizens in particular during the days of arson and wanton killings. He therefore reiterated the commitment of the Yahaya Bello’s led-administration in ensuring Kogi people gets her desired needs of sustainable and infrastructural development within the available resources.
The Honourable Commissioner expressing his delight on the award and medal provided by the beneficiaries said his taking up such responsibilities of impacting lives was not born on the desire of receiving awards rather, It was part of the mandate the people expected of GYB already on next level transit. He quoted GYB as saying “when educated elites are encouraged, they are more involved in community service programmes and civic participation. They are critical thinkers whom when supported, display more creative attributes due to the complex intellectual and academic skills they learned through their studies.”
In his closing remark, Ohere said “the education system, according to Yahaya Bello teaches how to obtain and develop critical and logical thinking as well making independent decisions. “I urge you all to remain steadfast in your various fields of studies. To those already graduates and post-graduates, continue to make your family and institutions proud. GYB is more proud when this gesture is reciprocated in your future endeavours to other families and communities. For we, as government, it has always been about preparation and Yahaya Bello’s government is more prerpared in doing more for the confluence state. Continue being good citizens as this remains the plight of the GYB-led government.”