By Promise Emmanuel from Lokoja
Edward Onoja Represents Governor Bello at 19th Igala Education Summit as 29 Igalas Bag First Class Degrees Accross Tertiary Institutions
..donates half a million each to 29 First Class Graduates of 2019
The 4th Executive Governor of the state and 5th-in-waiting, His Excellency, Yahaya Bello was today represented by the Deputy Governor of the state, his siamese twins, His Excellency, Chief Edward Onoja as Special Guest of Honor at the 19th Igala Education Summit, a brain child of Igala Education Foundation, founded by late Professor F.S Idachaba of blessed memory.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the summit, Hon. Chief Arc. Gabriel .Y. Aduku disclosed how late Prof. F.S Idachaba founded the foundation 19 years ago for two major reasons: to provide a viable platform for educational sensitization to the Igala kindred and also serve as an avenue to promote academic excellence through awards and scholarships.
Hon. Aduku eulogized Governor Bello who despite his tight schedule and current state of mourning sent his Deputy to represent him at the event.
Professor J.I Omada, an Executive Director of the foundation showered encomium on the Deputy Governor Chief Onoja for his remarkable rail-roading to the hearts of Igalas and Kogites within three and half years of his stewardship in Government. He also used the opportunity to solicit upward drive of funding for the foundation and awardees whom he disclosed were on a N70,000 award as recognition token for their display in academic excellence. He also noted that almost 50% recipients of this year’s academic excellence award were from Olamaboro Local Government Area, the same place the Deputy Governor hails from. He further said this sterling performance from indigenes of Olamaboro accross tertiary institutions in Nigeria has become a recurring decimal according to historical documentation, a phenomenon he says geologists need to study in order to understand the reason for the high level of profundity of Kogi students and people from that particular LGA when it comes to academics and intelligence quotient.
Former Commissioner for Education, Kogi state, Dr. Chief Sylvester Onoja (OON) also added his voice to what scholars at the event dubbed as “mysterious” when it comes to the reason for the high academic turn-out from Olamaboro indigenes. He stated that the “Mabolo” River which belts at Egane Ankpa which people of Olamaboro and Anambra State drinks from has placed them historically as one of the greatest people in Nigeria as a whole. He disclosed how the First President of Nigeria, Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe hails from Anambra, also citing the case of Odimegwu Ojukwu whose was the first Nigerian and black man to own a Rolls Royce in 1956 when the Queen of England visited Nigeria, mandating the Nigerian Government to lend the car to chauffeur the Queen around.
The Chairman of the Publicity Committee, Alhaji Suleiman Ibrahim of Radio Kogi also described the Deputy Governor as a “rare breed” who should be given all necessary support to succeed as his kinds sparingly appear in generations.
Reacting, the Deputy Governor reiterated the passionate position of his boss, the Governor towards education and support for bright minds. He says the Governor would have been present at the occasion if not for his bereavement which involves his elder sister which they aware all in procession period of grief, however, he thanked God for her life stating where she is today is better than where we all are.
In quantum he excitedly remarked how Kogi’s future lies in human capital development, a testament of the 29 bright minds of First Class cadre from different disciplines paraded today. He says the continuous distinguishing of Kogites academically is as a result of the New Direction’s firm believe in human capital development and educational advancement.
Reacting to the plea of Prof. Omada on the award funds for the recipients, he pledged a sum of N500,000 (half a million) each to the 29 First Class graduates of 2019 class. This translates to over 700% increase of the award fund. He disclosed that this sum would be cashed by the recipients latest March 1st, 2020.
He also networked a rendezvous of his friends of like minds spanning private and public sector professionals who made pledges ranging from N500,000 to N1000000, including the wife of the Deputy Governor, the Senator representing Kogi East, the Deputy Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly, the entire House Assembly members from Kogi East, 9 LGA Administrators, business man Mr. Rotimi Bolufemi amongst others whose donation would hit the account of the foundation on provision, with the rest to be cashed latest March 1st 2020. He also disclosed that the financial support of his boss, the Governor would be communicated to the BOT of the foundation when he reports back to him.
He used the occasion to encourage the First Class degree holders whom he described as “special” owing to the academic rigour, character and focus required to end up with a First class result after 4 years which he says cannot be bought by manipulation or bribery.
Present at the occasion is the Chief Host, Professor M.S Abdulkadir, The Vice Chancellor of Kogi State University, Royal Father of the Day, HRM, Dr. Idakwo Michael Ameh Oboni II, represented by the Ejeh of Olamaboro, HRM, Chief Simeon Ujah, Former Commissioner for Education, kogi State, Dr. Sylvester Onoja (OON), Professor S.S Usman, LOC Chairman; Member 1, Kogi state Civil Service Commission, Hon Yunusa Olofu, Dr Usman Ogbo and other dignitaries.
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