The Senior Special Assistant on Surveillance and President of Igbo Youth Congress [IYC] Lokoja, Hon. Iweha Empire to Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo has received applause from his principal for his contributions to community development.
The Governor gave the commendation while speaking at the commissioning of two motorized boreholes initiated and executed by Hon. Iweha Empire in Lokoja.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Comfort Ojoma noted that Hon. Empire has shown a spirit of community development through the completion of five borehole projects, two in Abia, his home State, and three in Kogi State, as well as the empowerment of many youths through scholarships.
Ododo urged the Igbo community to continue to live in peace with one another, describing Iweha Empire as a worthy son.
“I am Igbo-friendly and a strong ally of the Igbo community and will continue to identify with Igbo people alongside other non-indigenes in Kogi,” Ododo said.
In hie message, Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Meregini, thanked the Kogi Government for Chief Empire’s retention across two administrations in Kogi public service.
He said it has reflected his proficiency and integrity, especially in the sensitive role of surveillance and urged the Igbo community to remain law-abiding and fulfill civic duties.
The Governor praised both Abia and Kogi for practicing merit-based appointments, citing recognition of non-indigenes in key positions in Abia as well as Kogi, where about 11 Igbo sons and daughters currently serve in the Kogi Government.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Empire said he has fulfilled the promises made when he was sworn in as the 8th Igbo Youth President General on July 8, 2022.
He revealed that his administration has executed five water projects and invested in education by offering scholarships to 50 Igbo students in Kogi and 15 across the South-East.
He disclosed that six of the 15 graduated with First Class, including the overall best student, while at the Federal University Lokoja, one scholarship beneficiary graduated with First Class and three with Second Class.
He also extended scholarships to nine dependents of journalists across Kogi’s three senatorial districts, donated musical instruments to associations and communities, and commenced renovation of the Igbo Community Hall.
In their goodwill messages, Chief Mathew Nwafor, President General of Igbo Community Association in Kogi State, commended Hon. Empire and assured continued support for Governor Ododo’s re-election.
Other dignitaries present included Prof. Gbenga Solomon Ibiloye, Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja; Hon. Barr. Anderson Kelechi Akaliro of the Abia State House of Assembly; Hon. Abu, Member representing Ajaokuta Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly; a representative of Senator Chris Iheanyichukwu Adighije; and Lady Mrs. Easter Nwaeke Adighije, Igbo Community Woman Leader.
Highlights of the event were the formal commissioning of two boreholes — one at the Crusher community by the Abia Deputy Speaker and the other at the Igbo Hall in Lokoja by the Kogi Deputy Speaker.
Veteran journalist and recipient of A.B.C Yola, Reporter of the Year Award (1997), Hassan Umar Shallpella, works with WAP as a Regional Correspondence. He was trained at Institute of Mass Communication and Technology Jos and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Training School Lagos.He was a News desk Editor and a Correspondent at the Punch newspaper and till 2019, was the Deputy Editor ofThe Scope newspaper.
Latest posts by Hassan Umar Shallpella (Regional Correspondent) (see all)
previous
NLC Seeks National Minimum Pension, Pushes Review Of Minimum Wage
next