Chief Dr Habibat Oyiza Tijjani, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs on 30th December, 2023 celebrated her birthday in Okene with pomp and pageantry.
The occasion was characterized as usual with empowerment galore.
For women and girls in Okene, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, the 30th of December for many years now is a date with destiny.
Dr Tijjani expressed appreciation to God for keeping her and her family through another year, adding that the empowerment programme is her way of thanking God and extending God’s goodness to the people around her.
According to the Permanent Secretary, empowerment is a concept she learnt from her late father, Engr. Aliyu Onumoko who always did same in his life time.
She revealed that the beneficiaries of the annual empowerment programme undergo trainings in different vocational skills for stipulated periods and are empowered after graduation.
She called on individuals and organizations to contribute their bits to their various communities towards economic empowerment for self reliance and overall economic growth in the state.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of work tools and start up funds to over 300 women and girls for various vocations like fashion and designs, cake making, Bag making, hair dressing, catering services and so on.
The work tools include sewing machines, hair dryers, ovens, refrigerators, cake mixers, gas cookers and an array of other gadgets.
In their various good will messages, the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Adams Adabenege, Director Local Government Affairs, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Otori USA; Chairman, Forum of DLGs and DLG, Bassa Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdullahi Salihu; Chairman, Forum of Treasurers, Alhaji Abdullahi Yusuf Ohikura described Dr Tijjani as what could be summed up as a humanitarian whose passion for driving economic independence through empowerment is legendary and worthy of emulation.
The celebration was graced by the Kogi State Deputy Governor-Elect, His Excellency Joel Oyibo and his entourage; Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Adams Adabenege; Director-General, Kogi State Pensions Commission, Hajia Mariam Oziama Abedoh; past and present Kogi State House of Assembly Members; Royal Fathers; members of the State Special Audit Committee; Local Government administrative staff; people living with disabilities; the Hausa Community in Okene and so on.
Music and dance groups from Okene, Bassa, Koton Karfe and Ijumu were not left out while especially making the occasion colourful were scores of different women groups in various uniform attires who sang songs in different languages.