Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, former Governor Ibrahim Idris, both of Kogi State and 47 others will receive this year’s Ibaji Hall of Fame Awards.
A press briefing to this effect revealed that the awards will be presented at Marypat Events Centre, Idah, on Thursday, 26 December, 2024.
The Chairman of Nomination for the Hall of Fame, Dr. Gabriel Ottah, said the event would witness awards in the categories of Ibaji Leadership Awards, Ibaji Development Star Awards, and the Ibaji Man of the Year Award.
Of the 49 awards to be presented, 30 are for individuals who have distinguished themselves in one form of Development or the other. He said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo bagged the award for giving priority to Ibaji in his government within the first year in office. He particularly noted that the Governor gave 25 percent of fertilizers for the whole state to Ibaji. He also gave key political positions to the Ithe baji people, in addition to his approval and payment of the new minimum wage of N 72 500 to the state civil servants.
Dr. Ottah added that Alhaji Ibrahim Idris was ticked for the Hall of Fame for being the first-ever Governor to construct a tarred road on Ibaji, running from Idah to Onyedega, the local government headquarters.
Some other awardees mentioned were Bishop Anthony Adaji, the Catholic Bishop of Idah Diocese; Chief Peter Egwuda; Chief Inaju Inaju; Chief Jacob Ugoya; Engineer Clement Otache; Hon Harry Uba; Hon Dave Inah Ogu; Dr Isaac Achoba; Hon David Apeh; Mrs Patricia Adanyi (Madam Apama); and Hon Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola Egwaba who is the Deputy Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly.
Posthumous awards would be conferred on 11 people of Ibaji extraction. Elder James Udekwe; Elder Peter Agbata; Elder Peter Oyaka Anago; Elder Samuel Inewe; Elder John Ineme and Hon Emmanuel Manasseh Egwaba are among those to be awarded
posthumously.
Dr Ottah said Elele, Echeño, Odeke, Enweli, Omabo, and Anocha communities would bag the Hall of Fame Awards for joint community and local government development efforts, while Ibaji Development Association and Ibaji Liberation Crusade would bag the Group Awards.
Dr Ottah said all awardees or their representatives, including guest speakers and stakeholders, had been contacted accordingly and arrangements were in top gear to ensure a successful award ceremony
Ibaji Hall of Fame and Awards is an initiative to appreciate and encourage individuals and groups who have made visible positive impacts in Ibaji.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Hall of Fame, Hon Jerry Enema, said the arrangement was not political but a venture towards encouraging hard work in the land.
He added that the Hall of Fame would make selections every year and award those who met the requirements for any of the categories of the awards.
The Executive Chairman of Ibaji Local Government, Hon Emmanuel Ugeh, would be the Chief Host, while the Ejeh Ibaji, Ajofe John Egwemi, who is also an awardee, would be the Father of the Day.