The NACABS Polytechnic, Akwanga rolled out the drums recently when it organised an elaborate awards ceremony for indigenes of the state who have contributed meaningfully to the development efforts of Nasarawa State.
The awards ceremony tagged NACABS Millennium Annual Award took place at the prestigious Kini Country Motel in the heart of Akwanga and it attracted scores of people from all walks of life but especially local government functionaries who were the major target audience for the ceremony.
In an address at the occasion, the State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma commended the pioneering spirit behind the polytechnic and the award ceremony saying no meaningful development can be achieved in any state without private participation.
Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma who was represented at the occasion by the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP], Chief Yunana Iliya described the private sector as the engine of development and he called for increased private participation in the development of Nasarawa State.
Governor Doma who was also conferred with the Best Overall Achievement award at the occasion urged the recipients of the NACABS Award to see the recognition as an impetus to spur them into further action in the line of development stressing that Nasarawa State cannot afford not to move forward like other states of the federation.
The awards ceremony which preceded the matriculation assembly of the institution was attended among others by the Nasarawa State House of Assembly member, Honourable Phillip Aruwa Gyunka who had earlier commissioned the new school building of the NACABS Polytechnic, Akwanga.
In an interview earlier, Honorable Gyunka commended the pioneering spirit behind the establishment of NACABS Polytechnic and he appealed to both the state and the Federal Government to assist visionary projects and programmes by individuals who are development oriented like the founder of NACABS Polytechnic.
Gyunka commended the progress of the polytechnic adding “what I have seen here today gives me hope and the happiness that there are visionary leaders in the state who are interested in the development of Nasarawa State.”
He advised the students of the school to avoid cultism and other anti-social behaviour which might set the hands of the clock back for them in the pursuit of academic excellence.
Addressing the award audience, the Rector of NACABS Polytechnic, Mr. M. D. Abuluya said that the Millennium Award Night was an inclusive event which was designed to become an annual activity. The address is reproduced.
It is my singular honour and privilege to welcome you all to this auspicious occasion of the NACABS Polytechnic award for excellence in the service of our fatherland and humanity.
NACABS was established about ten years ago and since then, the founders have observed with keen interest the development processes of Nasarawa state with particular attention on those who have moved the pace of growth from one step to another.
The objective of the award tonight is to motivate our leaders no matter how small the gesture, to show them gratitude and to remind those serving the people in various capacities that their actions and performance are being watched and judged or assessed not only by their critics but also by their admirers and those who appreciate the heavy burden that service to humanity constitutes.
We have leaders at every level across Nasarawa state who participated actively in governance and in the private sector as business people. All of them in their own little ways implement programmes that promote values of companionship, progress or development in our different communities.
The most prominent of such development providers is the state administration which ensures that it supplies the communities with better resources and facilities and gives the youths and women the training they need to make their future a success. Government ensures security for lives and properties and provides stability in the social order throughout the state. Parliamentarians, local government functionaries, school administrators and businessmen in their own peculiar ways also contribute to the development of the state but there are some of these personalities whose contribution to community development stands out more than others.
These are some of the reasons why we have called upon you, the good people of Nasarawa State to gather here today for us to recognize the wonderful contributions of these individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the growth and development of Nasarawa State. The list as we have produced is by no means complete but we made our nominations based on the sound judgement of independent assessors mainly community leaders who vouched for the projects and achievements which we are celebrating today.
We have designed this annual award to support the government's efforts at promoting community development and especially rural transformation and unity as well as to help ease the inner feeling among public servants who have over the years wondered why their work or contributions to the development of the state is not appreciated by the public.
We thank Your Excellency for kindly accepting to honour this occasion and to present the institution's maiden publication 'NACABS Today' to the public. We are highly grateful that you made out time from your busy schedule to personally attend.
The award tonight would recognize three broad categories of performance. These are outstanding political leaders, champions in business and excellence in community development. These are only few of the numerous sectors where our people have offered exemplary services to the people of Nasarawa State.
It is therefore in line with the mood of the moment that we have nominated and confer on His Excellency, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Akwe Doma, OON, [Madauchin Doma], the Most Outstanding Achievement Award for reinvigorating the development spirit of Nasarawa State indigenes in the various sectors of the economy through the 13-point agenda.
The governing council, management, staff and students have also unanimously elected His Excellency, the Grand Patron of NACABS Polytechnic in appreciation of his wonderful contributions to the development of education in Nasarawa State since he assumed office as governor. As Grand Patron, we charge you to take education even higher because the state cannot afford to lag behind in education any more.
The achievements of the Madauchin Doma within just two years in office is a clear testimony that Nasarawa state would certainly become a state to be envied by other states by the time his administration completes the mandatory eight years in office. The governor has equally inspired local government chairmen and development area administrators to see service as a call to duty rather than an opportunity for self aggrandizement.
We congratulate you, your Excellency and appeal that you should accept this surprise token as our gratitude for the beautiful work that your administration is doing with your inventive economic blue print, the thirteen point agenda.
Below is the list of nominees for NACABS Polytechnic, Akwanga 2009 Millennium Award.
A. Nasarawa West Senatorial District
1. Hon. Engineer Idris Mohammed Idris, Best chairman of the year Nasarawa West,
2. Hon Jonathan Kaura, Chairman Karu best chairman on community development
3. Hon. Barrister Sani Bawa, Chairman Nasarawa best chairman on community development
4. Hon Basiru A. Sharubutu, Chairman Kokona best chairman on community development
5. Hon. Yakubu Ogalebe Akuki, Agwada LDA, best Administrator on rural transformation
6. Hon. Aminu Enupe, Udege LDA, best Administrator on rural transformation
7. Hon. Bulus A. Angba (JP), Panda LDA, best Administrator on rural transformation
8. Hon. Au Naballa D. Karshi LDA, best Administrator on rural growth/ transformation
9. Hon. Mohammed I. Guto, Loko Dev Area, best Administrator rural transformation
B. Nasarawa North Senatorial District
1. Hon. Anja Usman Baba, Best chairman of the year Nasarawa North
2. Hon Anja Baba Usman, Chairman Wamba, best chairman on community development
3 Hon Haruna I. Umbugana, Nasarawa Eggon, best chairman, community development
4. Hon. Stanley Buba, Chairman Akwanga LGA, best chairman on Health services
5. Pastor A. Yusuf, Akwanga West Dev. Area, best Administrator on rural growth
6. Hon. Clement S. Andua, Agidi LDA best, Administrator on rural transformation
7. Hon. Dauda Ngwai, Farin Ruwa LDA, best Administrator on rural transformation
C. Nasarawa South Sen. District
1. Hon. Rayyanu Illiyasu, Chairman Lafia LGA best chairman of the year
2. Hon Mustafa Y. Idris Chairman Doma best chairman on community development
3. Hon. Hon A.S. Akoshi Chairman Obi best chairman on community development
4. Hon. Musa A. Saidu, Chairman Awe best chairman on community development
5. Hon Haruna I Osegba, Chairman Keana best chairman on community development
6. Hon Sarkin Tanko, Azara LDA, best Administrator on rural transformation
7. Hon Yekpowudu 0. Joshua, Jankwe LDA best Administrator on rural transformation
8. Hon Sanusi Abdu, Giza Development Area best Administrator on rural transformation
9. Hon Abaku Istifanus Dennis Akun Dev. Area best Adm. on rural transformation
10. Hon Adamu Ebenya Adogi Lafia East LDA best Administrator on rural transformation
11. Hon. Abdullahi A. Galadima, Lafia North LDA best Administrator rural transformation
D. Nasarawa West Senatorial District
1. Best House member of Nasarawa west 2009 Sen. District… Hon. Ishaq Ahmed Kana
Nasarawa North Senatorial District
2. Hon Phillip Aruwa Gyunka Best member of Nasarawa North Senatorial District 2009..
Nasarawa South Senatorial District
3. Hon, Sidi Bako Obi constituency, Best member Nasarawa south senatorial district,
Nasarawa West Senatorial District 2009
4. Hon Samuel Egya, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on National Planning Egya Toto/Nasarawa Fed. Constituency, Best House of Representatives member of Nasarawa West Senatorial District
Nasarawa North Senatorial District
5. Hon Raymond Akolo, Best House of Assembly member in 2009 in community development
Nasarawa South senatorial District
6. Hon (Dr) Hashimu, Best Reps member of Nasarawa South Senatorial district,
Nasarawa State Senators
7. Sen. Abubakar Sodangi (Danmalikin Nasarawa}, Best Senator of the year in Nasarawa state in 2009
Best Woman
8. Late Chief/Lady Theresa Wuya, Best Woman Leader of the year in Nasarawa State:
Best Principal
9. Mr. Patrick Ogah, President ANCOPSS, Best principal of the year:
Best political party leader
10. Chief Yunana Iliya, Nasarawa State PDP Chairman, Best party leader of the year:
Best political party administrator
11. Alhaji Yusuf Agede Ayitogo, National Vice Chairman, North Central PDP Best party administrator of the year:.
12. Engineer Audu Sule, former AC Governorship candidate
13. Alhaji Usman Abubakar, Sandaji Group of Companies, Businessman of the Year
14. Hon. Shuaibu H. Abdullahi, House of Reps.
15. Barrister Solomon Ewuga, Most Enduring Politician
16. Dr. Bawa Abimuku.