… restates commitment to peace, unity of the people of the State @ The Nigerian Post Annual Lecture & Award.
The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has described a one time Commissioner For Health in the State, Alhaji Suleiman Babaali as a perfect bridge builder, says his ability to always stand in and protect the interest of the people of Lokoja and Kogi LGAs makes him a worthy ambassador of the people.
Gov. Yahaya Bello made the disclosure while presenting Alhaji Babaali with an Award of Excellence at the 2023 Nigerian Post Newspaper annual lecture and award series to mark the creation of the State.
In his message to the occasion, Governor Yahaya Bello represented by the Commissioner Of Education Science and Technology Mr Wemi Jones, said his administration has demonstrated the need for equity, fairness and justice in appointment into positions and execution of projects across the three senatorial district of the State.
Gov. Bello paid glowing tributes to Alhaji Babaali pointing out that he remains one true leader who can be trusted, when it comes to speaking the truth and protecting the interest of the people.
Gov. Bello lauded the sterling leadership qualities of Alhaji Babaali, praised the Nigerian Post for identifying the recipient, said he has made his administration and Kogi State proud whenever he is called upon.
The Governor maintained that it was his Leadership qualities that made the APC appoint Alhaji Babaali as leader of APC Lokoja and Kogi LGAs, described him as a man always seeking for peace and promoting the welfare of his people.
Governor Bello who said he’s irrevocably committed to the peace and unity of the people of the State assured of an enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the forth coming gubernatorial election.
The Governor who was one of the award recipients as ” Kogi State Man Of The Year On Fiscal Transparency” commended the publisher of The Nigerian Post Newspaper, Comrade Abu Micheal and journalists in the State for their professional conduct and balanced reportage of events.
Speaking on the theme of the lecture; “Sustaining Unity, Peace Of The Confluence, This House Must Not Fall” the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Suleiman Babaali in a message said the topic is apt as the need for concerted efforts by all Kogites became imperative to actualise the dreams of the founding fathers.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Publisher and Editor- in- Chief of the The Nigerian Post Newspaper, Comrade Abu Micheal said the theme was informed by the need to sustain the existing peace in Kogi State in view of the forth coming Gubernatorial election.
Comrade Abu called for restraint by all relevant stakeholders in the gubernatorial election as he noted that; ” Kogi State is a work in progress”.
On the award ceremony, the Editor-in-chief said it was meant to recognise modest contributions of individuals to the development of the State.
In his lecture, the guest speaker and Vice Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi represented by Professor Abudullahi Musa called on the need for government policies to be geared towards improving the wellbeing of the people as well as the need for the setting up of a steering committee on the 33years development plan for Kogi State.
Professor Akinwumi who commended the State Government for it’s initiatives on the neighborhood watch which has increase the security of lives and property appealed to all Kogites to play down their political differences towards a greater Kogi State.
In their separate goodwill messages, the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Evangelist Kingsley Fanwo, the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara Rtd, State Accountant General, Jibrin Momoh, DG Govt House, Shaibu Oricha, and the Royal Majesty Ohimege Igu of Kogi/Koton Karfe, all expressed commitment to the sustenance of peace and unity of Kogi State.
Among those conferred with awards include the State Accountant General, Alhaji Jibrin Momoh on; Promoting Accountability & Transparency in Kogi State, DG, Govt House, Alhaji Umar Oricha Shaibu on; Repositioning Govt House Administration, State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara Rtd on; Best Security Services Award in Securing Lives & Property, Barr. Ladi Ahmed Jatto OON for Greening the environment, Provost, College of Nursing and Midwifery Obangede, Mrs Hannah Oziohu Abraham on Repositioning Kogi State College of Nursing Obangede and Ahammed Shaba, CEO Shregarf Radio Vision, Lokoja on Outstanding Excellence in contributing to Music and Broadcast Industry in Kogi State.