By joshua 
… As Sun, The News, Daily Independent Correspondents, Emerge As Winners, 1st, 2nd Runner ups at GYB Essay Competition for Kogi Journalists.
Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State says he wants to be remembered as a leader who was dogged in his quest to better the well-being of the people of the State.
Gov. Yahaya Bello made the disclosure at the GYB Essay competition for political, crime Editors and state correspondents, had its first and second editions held in Abuja, while the third edition was held in Kogi state for State on Tuesday.
The Kogi state correspondent of the Sun Newspaper, Emmanuel Adeyemi, Richard Elesho of The News, and Julius Atabor of Daily independent, emerged winner, 1st and the 2nd runner up of the third Governor Yahaya Bello Essay Competition for Journalists in Kogi state.
Gov. Bello said his success in the past years of his administration could not have been made possible without the constructive criticism of the media.
Gov. Bello said journalists made him to pass through the blast furnace through their criticism, with his administration coming out better, pointing out that he couldn’t have made the positive impacts in all sectors of the State without the support of the media.
Gov. Bello while presenting the award to the winners noted that the award is to honour Journalists who have been supporting his administration.
The Governor congratulated the winners and the organizers for conceptualizing the idea into organising the competition to encourage all working Journalists in kogi State.
According to him, journalists play an important role in promoting the daily activities of government, societal harmony, and to hold government accountable to the people.
He stressed further that the competition is to provide multiple opportunities to journalists in the state, so that they could improve in their capacity to successfully meet up with their responsibilities with regard to tasks of building a virile Kogi State.
The Governor pointed out that he will provide another opportunity for journalists in the state, which he said will come up again by September, this year.
In his own remarks, the National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Comrade Chris Isiguzo thanked the governor for organising the essay competition to encourage journalists in the state.
Meanwhile, the star winner, Emmanuel Adeyemi of the Sun Newspaper carted home, two million naira, Richard Elesho of The News magazine who came second went home with one million naira, while Atabor Julius of Daily independent came third with five hundred thousand naira only.
Two journalists Adeiza Momohjimoh, Kogi State Chairman of NUJ and Bashir Mohammed of New Telegraph won N250,000 each.
Abu Michael, Publisher of the Nigerianpost Newspaper, Bolu Obahopo of Vanguard and Segun Salami of Channels Television also emerged winners amongst the categories.
Consolation prizes of 100,000, 50,000 and 20,000 were also awarded at each of these levels. The awards comprised cash prizes, and certificates.
The President also showered encomium on the media consultant for the firm handling of the competition, said was happy and excited with the event, assured the governor of the unflinching support of the media throughout his tenure.
He observed that the idea behind instituting the awards was to provide an opportunity to every journalists to compete within Kogi State on topics of the infrastructural transformation of the Governor.
He expressed satisfaction that this contest has further lauded the efforts put in place by Governor Bello in terms of development in the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Evangelist Kingsley Fanwo commended the developmental efforts of Governor Yahaya Bello saying that several projects executed are spread across the three senatorial districts in the state.
He enjoined all working Journalists to continue to promote the activities of government as the governor would continue to reward hardwork.