Bishop of the Catholic Diocese, Sokoto, Rt. Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, former Kaduna governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. General Martins Agwai (rtd) are among prominent people to be conferred with various awards for their contributions to the development of Southern Kaduna during the maiden edition of the Southern Kaduna Festival (SKFES 2023) on Thursday in Kafanchan.
In a statement on Wednesday in Kaduna, Chairman of the Planning Committee Rear Admiral Fergusson Bobai (retd), said the awards are in honour of leaders from the zone who have contributed to the
development of the area.
Others listed for the awards include, the late secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) and Wazirin Jema’a, Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed and late Governor Patrick Yakowa, for their sterling contributions in the development of a Southern Kaduna.
Bobai said, the event with the theme “Experience Unity, Celebrate Culture” shall be declared opened by the deputy governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe.
He said, “The essence of this festival is to celebrate our unity in diversity and bestow awards to deserving sons and daughters, including prominent Nigerians that are not indigenes of the zone, who have contributed to our development as a region”.
According to him, sporting activities beauty and pageant would be among several competiions to be competed for among the 57 ethnic nationalities in the zone.
According the statement the highest award – “Southern Kaduna Grand Commander (SKGC), will be awarded to a former military governor of Rivers state, Maj-Gen. Zamani Lekwot (retd), and former Chief of Defence state, Gen Martin Agwai (retd) as well as the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rt. Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah.
Late Yakowa and Aliyu Mohammed, the late AGF will be given the award posthumously.
Bobai said, former Governor Makarfi would be given the Southern Kaduna Citizen’s Award (SKCA) for his contribution in infrastructural development in the zone and the creation of more chiefdoms in Southern Kaduna by his administration.
The former military Administrator of the state, Col Jafaru Isah, Machu Gwall, Chief Michael Usaini and Simon K. Auta will also be given awards.
Bobai commended Governor Uba Sani for demonstrating early signs of his willingness to ensure every section of the state was carried along in the administration of the state.
“So far, Governor Uba Sani has shown impressive signs that he is willing to carry all sections of the state along in the administration of the state”, the statement said.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas
is expected to serve as the Chairman of the while Governor Sani is to serve as Special Guest of honour.
Other important dignitaries expected at the event include Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and Senator Sunday Katung among several other dignitaries.
