Kogi Deputy Governor, Chief Edward applauds virtues of Fmr Attorney General as Ankpa Elders Forum confer award of Excellence on him »

Kogi State Deputy Govenror, Chief Edward Onoja has described the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim as a humanitarian who is instrumental to success of many children of Igala origin and beyond.

He made the commendation on Saturday in Ankpa during the presentation of Awards to Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim who is the first Senior Advocate of Nigeria in the Northern Region.

Chief Onoja, who was representing the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello said the elder/ statesman has supported many sons and daughters of Igalaland and others from other parts of the country and thanked him for his continued passion and inspiration for the wellbeing of humanity.

He said the award recipient was not just an Igala icon but a national icon and an international citizen, a role model amongst many big names in Igalaland and enjoined other sons of the area to emulate his humanity and humble disposition.

He said the former AGs endearing qualities had drawn Governor Yahaya Bello to write a heavily worded letter of appreciation to him in the past because of all that he has done for Ankpa people, the Igala Nation and the country in general.

He told the gathering that you don’t move backwards because your kinsman is not the Governor of Kogi State, but only move backwards when the very wealthy and blessed people do not remember they can only build a better society by investing in people and not in buildings.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of Ankpa Elders Forum, Dr Egene Adah who was represented by his Vice, the occasion is unique to them because it is the first time they were conferring an award on any individual in their over sixty years of existence.

He said however that the award was apt because the recipient is first in many fronts including being the first Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in the whole of Northern Region.

The award recipient, who is a legal luminary that has represented the country at the World Court in the Hague, the Chairman said is a very important personality that has impacted lives within and beyond the shores of Igalaland.

Other speakers who praised the person of the awardee included the former Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada, the former commissioner for education and educationist, Dr Sylvester Onoja and others, all described Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim in glowing terms and urged the coming generation to emulate him.

Also present at the event was the grand Khadi of the State Shariah Court, Justice Abdulkareem Aruwa, the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, RT Hon Ahmed Mohammed, the former APC aspirant in the last governorship election in the state, Prof Mohammed Ogah, APC stalwarts, the Vice Chancellor of Kogi State University, Prof Mohammed Sani Abdulkadir, leaders of thought in all areas of human endeavour of Igala extraction, legal luminaries, academicians among others.