IBB, 2 writers, 22 others honoured
Dzukogi is renowned for creative writing and poetry and his works are gaining recognition within the literary cycle, While Sambo is an Islamic writer whose works are popular within the Islamic Literary cycle. Dzukogi after the ceremony, expressed delight with the honour given by his own community, Niger State. This, he said, was a way […]
Dzukogi is renowned for creative writing and poetry and his works are gaining recognition within the literary cycle, While Sambo is an Islamic writer whose works are popular within the Islamic Literary cycle.
Dzukogi after the ceremony, expressed delight with the honour given by his own community, Niger State. This, he said, was a way of saying “thank you my son for a job well done”. He commended the initiatives of Chief Servant of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, for instituting such a noble project and sustaining it after two years. He described this as a welcome development for posterity.
Others awarded were Major Gen. Mamman Kontagora (Rtd), Martin Sanda, Ahmadu Muye and a host of other prominent sons and daughters of the state who have distinguished themselves in their various endeavours.
Twenty five awardees were honoured in different categories. Three were posthumous; two in the Life Achievement category and one from the Literary Excellence Category. It was gathered that Khadi Sambo, who was the posthumous awardee in the Literary Excellence category passed away only two days before the award ceremony. This is regarded as a big loss for the literary world. In light of this, the state government, apart from the award of literary excellence given to the deceased, took advantage of the occasion to announce his immortalisation by renaming the College of Arts and Islamic Studies, Minna after him.
The event was part of a 13-day Nigeria’s 50th Anniversary and Minna Centenary Celebrations programme which started on September 24, 2010 through to October 14, 2010.
This segment of the occasion which was held on Tuesday and tagged Niger State Productivity and Honours Award and Minna Centenary Celebration, started at the Emir’s Palace in the morning and was followed with the launch of a book on Niger and the award ceremony at the UK Bello Art Theatre, Minna.
The occasion was graced by people from all walks of life including the Governors of Kwara, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Ogun, Gbenga Daniel as well as royal fathers from Bauchi, Ado-Ekiti and Niger State.
Dr. Babangida extolled the good qualities of the awardees and stressed the reason for the occasion and why Niger people must be focused and united despite all the challenges.
The high point of the event was the presentation of the Most Distinguished Statesmanship Award by the Chief Servant, Dr. Mu’azu Aliyu to IBB. It was filled with cheers and loud ovation from the audience who chanted praises at IBB and the Chief Servant.
Responding, on behalf of the awardees, IBB thanked the Niger State Government for the honours and opined that it was a noble activity that should be sustain. According to him, the awards were bestowed on deserving citizens and other government should emulate Niger State in that direction. He encouraged the organizers to keep up the good work and promised that the recipients would not let the people down.
There were grand musical performances by different cultural troupes from different parts of the state including the state cultural troupe, Gwape International.
Idoko is a freelance journalist. [email protected].