Yusuf Ohikwura Award by KOSMO as applause well deserved »

Even on the day of reckoning, Allah will judge humans partly from how fellow human beings perceived such individuals on earth. This view stems from the fact that Thursday (20th August, 2020)’s award by the Kogi State Muslim Organisation (KOSMO) on the treasurer of Kogi Local Government Area did not come to many of those close to him as a surprise. It has been a long time coming in view of his determination to better humanity and effort to propagate the Islamic faith.

To say he is a humanitarian with compassion is to state the obvious. Those whose paths have crossed his have had nothing but positive testimonies to give on the personality of this noble, young, astute, humane, humble and dynamic public officer and doyen of accountancy.

Many nodded their heads as his citation was being read by the leadership of KOSMO at the Isah Kutepa Memorial Hall in Lokoja in agreement to all that were highlighted. Yusuf Ohikwura is no doubt a humanist with determination to better himself, his family and as many as his resources and power can take him. Many have positive testimonies on their lips about the person of Yusuf Ohikwura.

The humility he oozes was obvious during press interview shortly after the award. He sees the award as a call to do more for society. He was no doubt taken aback as he did not expect it from such a noble and highly respected body. Be informed that KOSMO is made up of some of the most upright and economically successful individual, past and still serving public servants that you can find in Kogi State today. They are also religiously sound people when it comes to Islamic faith. They are obviously not driven by economic benefits, but by sheer commitment to encourage such a man that has done so much out of the little resources Allah has given him.

To Ohikwura, the award would spur him to do more for the religion and for humanity as he gave gratitude to Almighty Allah for making the organisation to find him worthy of the commendation. He also pledged to continue to do more and sustain his efforts towards humanitarian services. These words did not come to many of his interviewers as surprise because they know he is a man that says only things he could do.

In reading his citation, the writer says; “Some are born great, while some attain greatness with Allah’s mercy and hard work.” That line captures the person of Ohikwura whose dedication and commitment to whatever he puts his mind to is a testimony to what is on the lips of those who know him well.

Born in 1980 to the family of Mallam Abdullahi Ibrahim Ohidozi and Hajiya Salamatu Yusuf Nomasi of Ejeha compound in Koton-Karfe of Kogi State, Alhaji Ohikwura attended St. Pius Primary School Koton-Karfe where he held the post of Janitor because of his hard work and punctuality to school. It was from there that he proceeded to Government Secondary School Koton-Karfe from 1988-1993 where he finished in flying colours.

The modest and quiet Ohikwura then went to Kogi State Polytechnic for his National Diploma in Accounting and graduated with Upper Credit and then Kogi State University, Anyigba, for his Degree – a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and then did his mandatory National Youth Service in Imo State. He has obtained his Master of Science (MSc) Degree from Nassarawa State University where he is already almost completing his PhD thesis.

Alhaji Abdullahi Yusuf Ohikwura is a certified National Accountant and has the membership of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) and the Certified Public Accountant of Nigeria (CPAN).

He joined the service of the Local Government 1998 and rose through the ranks to the position of Director of Finance (Treasurer). He is a one time cashier of Kogi Local Government coundil and member of petroleum task before his appointment as the treasurer.

No doubt, his dutifulness and service was not lost to both the Local Government and the state, hence the favorable reviews he has continued to garner from all and sundry. In him, several space watchers see a golden boy from Kogi Local Government and Kogi State. His service to the society has continued to gain traction with many rewards awaiting him.