By Angela Atabo
Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi and the Legends Club of Okun land, have commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing indigenes of Okun origin into various federal positions.
Speaking at the civic reception in honour of the appointees in Abuja, Ododo congratulated the appointees and urged them to commit themselves to the service of excellence and ethical governance.
The governor represented by his Security Adviser, Jerry Omdara also encouraged the appointees to be innovative and contribute to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President.
“I know Okun people to be proactive and genuine everywhere you put them, you should perform well, that is why I thank you Mr President for what he saw in your area.
“For the first time, we are having so many key appointments in various government sectors, therefore, I congratulate this wonderful association for recognising those who were given one positions or the other.
“For the first time, we are having the first female Deputy Director-General of DSS in Nigeria.
“Our desire also is to see Ajaokuta Steel Company come up and the President is putting his eyes there with Kogi indigene as the Minister of Steel and now an Okun person the Managing Director.”
A Lawmaker, Idris Salman, representing Ijhmu/Kabba-Bunu Federal Constituencyin the House of Representatives, commended Legend Club for recognising and honouring the federal appointees, adding that it would spur them to work harder.
“This ceremony is not just to recognition the appointees. They are telling the recipients. We know you are there, please do more,” he said.
The President of Okun Development Association (ODA), Amb. Rotimi Akenson, said that Okun people have talents and all the appointees got the offices by merit, hard work, diligence and integrity.
“We wish you good luck as you fly the flags of Oku nation, we know you will succeed. We thank the President for identifying these talents and we hope, we are sure that you will contribute to the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President,’’ he said.
The National President of Legends Club of Okun Land, Dr Femi Olubiyo, commended the appointees for their expertise and contributions.
The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Omoluabi Mofolami, said that Legends Club of Okun Land deemed it fit to celebrate the cerebral, articulate and brilliant minds identified to help push the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Prof. Naisr Abdulsalam, Managing Director of Ajaokuta Steel Company, appreciated the Legends Club of Okun Land for recognising them, adding that the president gave them opportunities and that they would utilise them properly.
Abdulsalam, said that activities had started at Ajaokuta steel company, including the design, production and manufacturing of 100 units of mining crushers for companies.
He said that the company was not engaging any foreign partner, adding that all the materials were locally sourced within the Ajakuta axis.
This according to him gave the company the opportunity to engage the young people, train them and create jobs, now reducing insecurity in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the appointees were: The Director-General of PENCOM, Omolola Oloworaran, Executive Director/CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muyiwa Aina.
Others were Executive Secretary, National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF), Tosin Adeyanju, Managing Director, Lower Niger Basin, Mr Gbenga Olumoroti, Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Education, Pankshin, Funsho Olumoko among others.(NAN)
