Kogi: Ex-Governor Ibrahim Idris honored by Igbo community »

Igbo Community Association, Lokoja Branch on Saturday, November 20th honoured former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris with the Best Merit Award.

The award according to the Igbo leaders is in recognition of the former governor’s disposition while in government, that guaranteed ease of doing business, non-discriminatory policies between the indigenes and non-indigenes in all ramifications.

President General of the association, Caminus Onyeneke, while acknowledging the contribution of the former governor to Igbos during the Celebration of Igbo day at the Confluence Stadium, in Lokoja, stated that during his 9 years reign, many Igbo economic activities, businesses, contractors were at a high pedestal, with patronage from his government and highly placed individuals in the state.

“Aside from all these, we had a serene environment with recognition from the state government in terms of appointments, contacts and other important activities of the state government.”

***Alhaji Ibrahim Idris receiving the award presented to him by member Representing Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Barriser Shaba Ibrahim***

“The former Kogi Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris having had his early childhood with the Igbos, reposed a lot of confidence and gave support to all their activities for 9 years at the corridor of power.”

“Despite the age-long stay of the Igbos in Lokoja, it became a true second home for them during former Kogi Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.”

“We are grateful for the brotherly and fatherly touch and we decided to reward you for a good job well done.”

Responding, former Kogi Governor, Idris described Igbo as an integral part of the nation’s social and economic development.

He added that any community without Igbo is doomed towards economic and development backwardness.

The former governor who used the Igbo dialect in part of his speech said he will continue to appreciate the Igbos having thought him how to live a better part of his life today through commercial activities.

“My early days in Onitsha marked the beginning of my ideas of enterprising activities that saw me through business to politics and now with conglomerates.

“I hold the Igbos across the country and outside the shores of Nigeria in high esteem, owing to their discipline, steadfast and commercially oriented disposition, above all sincerity in all their activities.”

He thanked them for the great honour done to him, saying they remain partners in progress.