By joshua 
Amb. Usman Bello, Alhaji Isah Adeboye billed to receive
The Nigerian Post Newspaper Kogi @ 33 Award
… Holds In Lokoja, August 26, 2024.
The Kogi State Chairman, JNI, Ambassador Usman Bello and his Secretary, Alhaji Isah Adeboye, would amongst notable Nigerians be conferred with the Nigerian Post Newspaper award for promoting Inter Religious Harmony in the State.
The Nigerian Post Newspaper annual public lecture slated for August 26 at EdgeDrive Hotel Lokoja would be the venue to confer the award on the duo.
According to the statement, the leadership of the JNI has in the last 8 years used the platform to promote inter religious harmony as well as guide Islamic clerics from preaching love and peaceful coexistence.
The Nigerian Post Newspaper is Nigeria’s fastest growing print and online newspaper, is set to hold the annual edition of its Lecture & Gold Prize Award themed:
Sustaining Kogi’s Unbroken Unity – Prospects & Possibilities, This House Must Not Fall.
This event, which is scheduled to take place at 10:00am, will have Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo as the Special Guest of Honour.
His Excellency, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, former Governor of Kogi State, the Minister for Steel Development, Prince Shaibu Audu Abubakar alongside other very important personalities within and outside Kogi State will also serve as Guests of Honour at the event.
The 2024 public lecture will be Chaired by Prof. Stephen Ikani Ocheni, former Minister of State, Labour and Employment.
His Royal Majesty, the Ohimegye Igu Kingdom, Alhaji Saidu Akawu Salihu would serve as the Royal father of the day.
Speakers at the event will include; Prof. Marietu Tenuche, Vice Chancellor, Prince Abubakar University, Anyigba, Prof. John Alabi, Dr. Salisu Usman Ogbo, Rector , Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja and Ambassador Hamza Aliyu, CEO, Connected Development.
Recall that in 2023, THE NIGERIAN POST held it Annual Lecture and Gold Prize themed “Sustaining Nigeria’s Democracy. This House Must Not Fall”, with Prof. Akinwumi Olayemi, Vice Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja as the guest speaker of the event.
This year’s event will feature a special presentation by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Deedat Ozigi, on “Towards Grassroots Development: Gov. Ododo’s Example, So Far, So Good.
The 2024 edition “aims to celebrate and critically examine the creation of Kogi State 33 years after, by discussing its unity as cardinal to future prospects and possibilities”.
According to a statement by the Publisher of THE NIGERIAN POST, Mr. Abu Michael, this year’s event will honour some distinguished personalities who have contributed to the development of the State.
Other individuals for the Gold Prize Award include: Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isa Kutepa, CEO, Walter Smith Oil, Sen. Tunde Ogbeha while late Prince Abubakar Audu, first Executive Governor of the State would be honored posthumously.
“The Gold Prize Award for Grassroots Development will also be presented to some selected former Caretaker Council Chairmen in the State and other individuals who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the development of the State.
The former Caretaker Committee Chairmen of Lokoja, Igalamela, Kabba Bunu, Ijumu, have been listed for recognition following their outstanding repositioning of their Council administration when they served.
“Our 2024 Awardees are persons who made the critical differences in the discharge of their duties, with uncommon zeal and commitment to the common good of the citizens and the State in particular,” the statement read.
According to a survey conducted by a Top IT Company in Nigeria specialized in survey on behalf of the Nigerian Post, observed that the awardees are people who have supported the remarkable turnaround in infrastructural renewal, aggressive pursuit of development across the State.
CITATION OF AMBASSADOR USMAN ENEYAMIRE BELLO
Talk of leader who have contributed immensely to the development of their kiths, kin and communities in Nigeria and the name of His Excellency, Ambassador Usman Eneyamire Bello will definitely find its way to the top. The adage which says “a golden fish has no hiding place” is made visibly transparent in the life of this great achiever, father of all and wisdom magnate. Apparently, he has used his wisdom and discretion to bring about Intra and inter Religious peace and tranquility in Kogi State.
Ambassador Usman E. Bello was born 31st January, 1944 at Agassa, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State. He attended catholic School, Okene from 1952 to 1959. Thereafter, he proceeded to Government Clerical Training School, Otukpo between 1960 and 1961. He later obtained GCE O’level and Advanced level through correspondence course of Rapid Results college, London in 1965 and 1957 respectively. Desirous of more academic Laurels, the then young, energetic and focused Usman Bello proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria from where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in business Administration in 1970. Before graduation from the University, our father and grandfather who is being honoured today worked as Clerical Officer with Northern Regional Government in the Ministry of Education, Kaduna in 1962, United States Peace Corps Directorate as Finance Officer in Kaduna from 1965 to 1967; part Time clerk with First Bank of Nigeria in Kaduna and Zaria during summer holidays from 1967 to 1968 and upon graduation from the University, our man of the moment was appointed Officer Trainee with Bank of the North Limited, Kano. He was confirmed as Officer after barely four months of training on the job. Apart from being a Cash Officer and Accountant at Jos branch of the bank, he was the first indigenous Advance Officer of Bank of the North Limited at the Head Office in Kano. He served as Branch Manager at Nguru and Ibadan Branches of the bank and later became Area Manager in Sokoto. This was in 1979 after serving as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in the then Kwara State between 1975 and 1979. This great son of the Confluence State was in 1980 appointed as Member, Presidential Commission on Revenue Allocation then referred to as the Okigbo commission where he served his fatherland meritoriously. In 1982, he was promoted to the amiable position of Chief Inspector of Bank of the North Limited, Head office, Kano. He later became the Chairman, Committee of Chief Inspector of Commercial banks in Nigeria in 1983. This distinguished and Erudite Banker was in 1984 appointed as Assistant General Manager on Special Assignment of producing a Handbook for Bank of the North Limited. He retired from the service of bank of the North Limited on 15th March, 1985 after an unblemished period of dedicated and sincere service to the Bank.
Ambassador Usman Bello has held several positions of responsibilities including:-
Member, Presidential task force on Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd in 1989
Active Business/Prospective industrialist and Politician from 1999 to 2003
Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Sudan from 1999 to 2003.
Member, Kogi State Inter Religious Council and later Co-Chairman, Chairman Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue and member Federal Tax Board, Ameerul Hajj of Kogi State – 2014 and Chairman, Jama’atu Nasril Islam Kogi State. All these appointments are between 2004 till date.
Our father has served as member of several Boards including Atlas Nigeria Limited for eight (8) years, Kwara Investment Company Limited for 2 years, Nigus Petroleum Company Nigeria Limited for several years and Ovidi community Bank Limited, Okene.
This sincere and committed diplomat holds the Chieftaincy titles of Mainasara of Ebiraland conferred on him by HRM. Ado Ibrahim CON, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and the Olimene Eje Olamaboro conferred on him by the Late Eje Olamaboro and Obaje Otalu of Atabaka, HRH, Alhaji Ademu Abu. He has visited United Kingdom, USA, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt among others.
His hobbies include reading the Holy Qur’an and other books of interest, Debates, playing Table Tennis, Lawn Tennis and Politicking.
Distinguished guests, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello at commissioning of JNI Masjid on Sunday, 23rd May, 2021 described this man standing to be honoured as a ‘Role Model’ who while working in the bank for several years saw money but refused to steal because it was not his. This is an epitome of a unique Islamic behaviour. This is indeed the man bestowed upon the Jama’atu Nasril Islam in Kogi State as its leader.
A quintessential gentle man, Baba’s sincerity and absolute humility has continued to earn Kogi State JNI a place of merit in the Committee of religious groups in Kogi State.
It is to his credit and indeed his Exco that the National Secretariat of JNI has continued to appreciate JNI in the State to the extent that it is rated the best performing State Branch in Nigeria.
A peep into Ambassador Usman Bello’s Contribution to ensuring discipline at work place shows that as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Sudan, he represented Nigeria well and got encomiums from his staff for ensuring best attitude and adequate welfare for those who worked with him. This is indeed the hallmark of a Statesman. He also got ovation from members of the Diplomatic corps with whom he worked in Sudan, especially for his frank and no holds barred contribution at meetings.
No doubt, the elderly, the youth, men and women of Ebiraland where His Excellency, Ambassador Usman Bello is a revered title holder holds him in high esteem for being accessible at all times and providing shoulders for them to lean on when occasion demands.
To those working with the awardee at the JNI Secretariat, Ambassador Usman Bello is not only a father but a role model whose words of wisdom have guided them in their day to day affairs. Ambassador Bello means gold to them as his leadership has continued to propel Kogi State JNI to higher heights.
No wonder, His Emminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Jama’atu Nasril Islam has proudly told other state branches of JNI to learn with the Ambassador Bello Leadership in Kogi State.
To the Glory of God Almighty, Ambassodor Usman Eneyamire Bello, a cool, collected, calm and calculated Leader of Muslims in Kogi State is a living legend who knows his onions very well and has ensured cordial relationship with Christians in Kogi State.
So, for all he has done for the growth and stability of society, and indeed his monumental commitment to the cause of humanity and nation building in Africa, His Excellency, Ambassador Usman Eneyamire Bello is hereby presented to be conferred with Africa’s Living Legend Award (ALLA) 2023 by Elation Magazine.
Congratulations
BRIEF CITATION OF ALHAJI ISA ADEBOYE
He was born in Oke-Aga compound in Ife – Olukotun, Yagba East Local Government, Kogi State Nigeria to the family of Late Mr. Ashiru Adeboye and Madam Moriatu Adeboye.
He holds, OND in Irrigation Engineering and HND in Civil Engineering with specialization in structures between 1974 and 1979 from Kaduna Poly. And in 1989 he did a Certificate in Public Relations Course.
He has vast working experience. He started with the Ministry of Agric and Natural Resources, Kwara State, later Niger River Basin Development Authority at Swashi and New Bussa. He was incharge of all the Civil Engineering Works between 1980 to 1981. Between 1981 to 1984 he became the Technical Manager (Operations) to Niger Clear (Nig) Ltd. Between 1984 and 1987 he became the Civil Engineer, Afroworks (Nig) Ltd in Charge of Omi Dam in Yagba West LGA.
Alhaji Isa Adeboye is a political guru of the land cutting across the Local Governments, the whole state and Nigeria. A well-known and recognized personality in Nigeria. In 1987 he was elected Councilor for Ife-Olukotun ward. In 1988 he was appointed Supervisory Councilor of Finance and Agric. In 1989 he became the first elected Chairman of Yagba Local Government present (Yagba East, Yagba west and Mopamuro LGAs and also the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, National Republic Convention (NRC) in 1993. In 1979/80 he had a stint in lecturing in Kwara State College of Technology.
Alhaji Isa served in various Boards and commissions e.g 1992 – 1994 Board of Directors Kogi properties Ltd; 1992 – 1994 judicial Panel of Aseni Chieftaincy Dispute; Chairman, judicial/panel on chieftaincy matters in Omala, Kabba/Bunu, Igalamela/Odolu and Olamaboro LGAs 2009.
Secretary – Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) – Government Secondary School, Omu-Aran – Kwara State – 1969.
Secretary, Muslim Student Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Igbomina Ekiti – Kwara State – 1969.
Merit Award by Fomwan Okunland.
Considered as one of outstanding personalities in Kogi State by “Who is Who in Kogi State” 2009.
Merit Award by National Association of Yagba Students 2012.
Patron – Mothers of Jannah Islamiya
Adviser – Muslim Prayer Society of Nigeria, Anyigba Dekina LGA – 2022.
Academic Award: He was the best student in Mathematics, Government Secondary School, Omu-Aran, Best student in Additional Mathematics, best Student in French. He was the best Student in Irrigation engineering.
He was appointed the First Chairman, Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA); He was Co-Chairman, Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) Kogi State Chapter; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of the State. 2012 – 2016 among others.
Alh. Isa has won many Awards including; State Honours Award, Meritorious Service Award of Al-Habibiyah Islamic Society of Nigeria, and Award of Excellence of National Council of Muslim Youth Organization (NACOMYO), Kogi East.
Asegun Adini by FOMWAN, Okunland; Award by Ife-olukotun descendants Union, Merit Award by Muslim Community, Ogori, award by Kogi State Muslim Organization among others .
In Ife-Olukotun, he introduced Awards to the best pupil at Primary School in 1976. In 1980, he introduced award to the best student in WAEC and the best students in Mathematics, IRK and over all best in Science Students of Jama’atu Nasril Islam Comprehensive High School, Ife-Olukotun, Wesley High School, Ife-Olukotun and Oluyori Muslim Comprehensive High School Isanlu in Yagba East LGA.
He has served the community in various positions e.g president, Ife-Olukotun Students Union (1972 – 1973); National General Secretary, Ife-Olukotun Descendants Union (IODU), (1980 – 1993). He is a member of Nigeria Society of Technological Engineers, Member, Institute of Industrialists and Corporate Administrators. He has won numerous awards and honorary titles including the BOBAJIRO of Ife-Olukotun 1994. And Balogun Adini of Ife-olukotun in 1995. “Alhaji”, as he is popularly called, is happily married with a good and caring wife, Hajia Zainab F. Adeboye and beautiful Children.