By joshua 
Excitement As Kogi Poly Rector, Prof. Ogbo is billed to Speak at The Nigerian Post Newspaper Kogi @ 33 Lecture & Awards August 26, 2024.
There is excitement in the air as Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, is billed to speak as a Co- speaker at this year’s The Nigerian Post Newspaper annual public lecture slated for August 26.
Prof. Ogbo holds a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Development Studies, always a delight, has thus far attracted the attention of many Kogites as he speaks around issues with the theme: Sustaining Kogi’s Unbroken Unity – Prospects & Possibilities, This House Must Not Fall.
Prof. Ogbo has to his credit turnaround the fortune of the State Polytechnic, having improved on academic excellence as well as infrastructure development, is one Kogites described by many as an epitome of a united Kogi State.
The Nigerian Post is Nigeria’s fastest growing print and online newspaper, is set to hold the annual edition of its Lecture & Gold Prize Award, the 15th in the series.
This year’s event is scheduled to take place at the EdgeDrive Hotel Lokoja on August 26, 2024 at 10:00am, will have Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo as the Special Guest of Honour.
Other speakers at the event will include the lead Speaker, Prof. John Alabi, former Dean Faculty of Management Sciences, PAAU. Similarly, Prof. Marietu Tenuche, VC Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba and Ambassador Hamza Aliyu, CEO, Connected Development, would also add their voices to the theme with a view to building unity.
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 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.
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 from the Civil Society space 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.
Some development workers like Amza Aliyu of INGRA, Ms. Halima Sadiq of CHACHAVIVI, Amb. Idris Ozovehe, Kogi State Chairman of KONGONET and Ms Eunice Agbogun of Challenged Parenthood Initiative, the initiator of Violence against persons prohibition law would equally be honoured.
According to a survey conducted by a Top IT Company in Nigeria specialized in survey on behalf of the Nigerian Post, observed that all the award recipients have aggressively pursued issues of development in various sectors across the State.