ABUJA, Nigeria — The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has been conferred with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Media Empowerment by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in recognition of his contributions to journalism and media development in Nigeria.
The honour was presented on Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the NUJ’s 70th anniversary celebration and book launch held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
The event attracted dignitaries from across the country, including governors, federal ministers, and media veterans.
Former NUJ President and senator for Kogi West in the 9th National Assembly, Smart Adeyemi, received the award on Bello’s behalf.
In the official letter of nomination, signed by NUJ President and Deputy Mrs Abimbola Oyetunde, the Union cited Bello’s “outstanding contributions to the welfare of journalists, especially in Kogi State,” as well as his consistent investment in capacity-building initiatives.
“We also acknowledge your immense contributions to journalism through the GYB Annual Workshop For Correspondents and Editors,” the letter noted.
According to the NUJ, the annual GYB media workshop trained over 200 journalists per edition across Nigeria on developmental reporting and advanced writing skills.
The event included essay competitions adjudicated by seasoned editors and journalism professors, with prizes awarded each year.
Speaking through Senator Adeyemi, Bello expressed gratitude for the honour and pledged continued support for media practitioners in Nigeria.
He also used the occasion to commend President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, describing them as effective and already yielding “visible results.”
Bello declared that Kogi State, under the leadership of Governor Usman Ododo, would deliver a landslide victory for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
“There is no space for opposition in Kogi,” he said.
The anniversary celebration was attended by key political figures and media stakeholders. Present were the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris — who represented President Tinubu — and former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba.
Also in attendance were former Minister of Youth and Sports and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, as well as governors and deputy governors from Kano, Gombe, Ondo, Oyo, Bauchi, Imo, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa states.
