Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award on Media Empowerment on the immediate past governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The award was bestowed on him at the NUJ 70th Anniversary and book presentation in Abuja on Saturday.
The honour, according to NUJ President, Alhassan Yahya, was in recognition of the former governor’s outstanding contributions to the welfare of journalists, especially in Kogi, under his watch.
Yahya, who signed former Gov. Bello’s letter of nomination, alongside his Deputy, Mrs. Abimbola Oyetunde, said the Union recognised Bello’s annual training and workshop for journalists.
“We also acknowledge your immense contributions to journalism through the GYB Annual Workshop For Correspondents and Editors,” he said.
”The former governor’s yearly event encouraged and trained no fewer than 200 media professionals per edition, across Nigeria, on developmental journalism and how to sharpen their writing skills.
”Seasoned media chiefs and professors of journalism were also on ground as members of the jury in the essay competitions that followed the workshops, with cash and other prizes won each year.”
A former President of the NUJ, who represented Kogi West Senatorial District in the 9th National Assembly, Sen. Smart Adeyemi, received the prestigious award on behalf of the former governor.
Speaking through Adeyemi, the former governor thanked the national body of the NUJ for the recognition and promised to continue to support Journalists’ welfare.
Bello also scored the administration of President Bola Tinubu high on current economic policies, which he said were already yielding visible results.
He specifically said Kogi, under the watch of Gov. Usman Ododo, would deliver presidential victory to Tinubu in 2027, 100 per cent, noting that there was no space for opposition in the state.
The colourful anniversary and awards night had in attendance different dignitaries across all sectors.
Some of those who graced the occasion included he Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, who represented President Bola Tinubu; and former governor of Ogun, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.
Also at the occasion was a former Minister of Youth and Sport and Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications to the President, Mr Sunday Dare.
Others in attendance were governors of Kano, Gombe, Ondo, Oyo, Bauchi, Imo, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States, among others, some of whom were represented by their deputies.
