By joshua Bashiru Gegu: A Life Dedicated To Service And Humanity
By Abu Micheal
Engr. Bashiru Gegu, Kogi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, was sometimes ago inducted as a Fellow of the Nigerian Korea Friendship Institute. This fellowship is in recognition of his sustained efforts in promoting vocational and skills education across the state. The honour reflects years of quiet work to equip young people with practical training and opportunities that open doors to self-reliance.
Across Kogi, people describe Engr. Gegu as a public officer who treats leadership as service. His approach to governance is said to be defined less by noise and more by projects that touch everyday lives. Residents point to the construction of an ultra-modern referral hospital in Gegu Beki as one of his visible contributions to improving access to healthcare. They also speak of scholarships and empowerment grants extended to students and women, clean-water projects that have eased daily struggles, and the donation of transformers that brought light to rural communities.
Many in the state also note his commitment to preserving culture and dignity. Through the upgrading of traditional stools, custodians of heritage have been given renewed honour and respect. In the solid minerals sector, his work has been credited with securing mining licenses and introducing heavy-duty equipment to strengthen local capacity and create jobs.
People who have worked closely with him say his philosophy is simple and consistent: the essence of living is to help each other, and if one cannot help, one should not hurt. That principle, they say, guides his relationship with communities and his commitment to peace and development.
Engr. Gegu in an interview sometime back said he will continue to do more for humanity. He reaffirmed his commitment to the ideals of the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, which he described as a period of steady progress for Kogi State since its creation. He added that his focus remains on initiatives that make life more meaningful for citizens.
To many Kogites, Engr. Bashiru Gegu represents a blend of engineering expertise, entrepreneurial thinking, and a genuine concern for people. His record, they say, is built on service that can be seen, felt, and remembered by the communities he serves.