From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
A former military administrator of old Rivers State, Zamani Lekwot, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah and former chief of defence staff, Luther Agwai, will be conferred with the highest award of the Southern Grand Commander (SKGC), at the maiden edition of Kaduna festival.
Disclosing this in Abuja, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the event, Fergusson Bobai, said the reason behind the awards is to give honour to the memories of leaders from the zone and also acknowledge the contributions of leaders, both past and present, in the development of the zone.
According to the event planners, SKGC posthumous awardees are the late Ibrahim Yakowa who died in a helicopter crash in December 2013, while serving as governor of Kaduna State, former secretary to the government of the federation and Wazirin Jema’a, Aliyu Mohammed.
Other awardees include the former governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi, who is to be bestowed with the Southern Kaduna Citizen’s Award (SKCA), the former military administrator of the state, Jafaru Isah who initiated efforts at granting more chiefdoms to the zone in 1996, Machu Gwall for his development initiatives.
Two recipients are billed to also receive the Southern Kaduna Service Award (SKSA). They are Michael Usaini and a retired director in the Ministry of Education, Simon Auta.
On SKFES 2023, 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.
Billed to attend the closing ceremony are House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abba, who will serve as chairman on the occasion, Governor Sani, special guest of honour and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, distinguished guest of honour.