By Balogun Omeiza David (BOD), Agassa, Okene Local Government Area.
As a way of appreciating a man who has taken up the responsibility of uniting, caring and instilling in them words of wisdom, knowledge and serving as a political figure they can at all times rely on, the youths of Okene-Eba/Agassa/Ahache Ward in Okene Local Government Area has conferred an award on Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu, the Director General, Government House Administration, Lokoja.
The Distinguished Service Award eulogised the recipient Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu with the wordings reading, “In recognition of your remarkable commitment and unwavering efforts in uplifting the youths and nurturing progress. The trio of Hon. Muhammed Ohiani (Born-Boy) Youth Chairman, Agassa/Ahache; Yusuf Abdulyekini, Youth Chairman, Okene-Eba and Hon. Adams Ahmed (Orio) Chairman, Kogi Central Youths jointly conferred the award on Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu as well as all the youths under their leadership.
In his response to the award given to him a day after Sallah was celebrated, Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu thanked God Almighty for allowing him to be a leader celebrated widely for his positive impact in the lives of the people under his watch especially the youths of Okene-Eba/Agassa/Ahache Ward. He thanked them for availing themselves to be led on the right path which in no doubt has helped in uplifting many of them.
Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu in his words said, “The peace and tranquility that Ebira land is relishing today is as a result of the good leadership the youths have decided to submit themselves to. I am glad that many of you have realised the meaning of hard-work. No man, not even attained this height of success without the ups and downs of life. My own journey in life was full of gallops. Thete were times I could not move. Sometimes my life was like a slow motion. Then with faith in God Almighty and the zeal to get things going, the Supreme Being sped up the activities of my life that has brought me to this point today. I urge you all to learn the dignity of labour, patience and understanding. There is no one God Almighty will forget.”
Speaking further, Alh. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu said, “As promising youths that God Almighty has positioned to take over from us, it is wrong for any of you to join the bandwagon of those who are fond of laying curses on Ebira land, Kogi State and Nigeria at large. I will want to educate you all that there will never be a place like home. Having a positive mind towards where you have come from is what God will look at to bless and promote the good intentions deposited in your hearts.”
The recipient of the award, Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu prayed for the youths who deemed him fit to be honoured will flourish like trees planted by the waters. He prayed that they will have among them many people like him who will continuously seek for the progress of them all.