Date: 2010-09-25

Kwara State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki has dedicated the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), conferred on him by President Goodluck Jonathan to the entire people of the State for their solidarity to his administration.

The Governor stated this weekend, at a civic reception organized by the State Government to mark his conferment with the prestigious National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger by President Jonathan.

Saraki, who expressed his deep appreciation to Mr. President for the recognition, praised God for the historic honour and thanked the people of the State for their support at all times.

To achieve this type of recognition, the governor said, requires commitment, dedication and sacrifice at the home front, thereby appreciating his wife, Mrs Oluwatoyin Saraki for her support in the past seven years and his Deputy, Chief Joel Ogundeji for being absolutely loyal all long.

The State, Dr Saraki noted, had been repositioned as a leading state in the country through the achievements of his administration since coming on board in 2003, which had impacted positively on the lives of the people.

He also recalled instances of how the Governors’ Forum under his leadership was repositioned as a serious minded body through its intervention in various national issues of great importance.

The newest national honour awardee assured Kwarans of his commitment to continue to play active role for greater development of the State even beyond the end of his tenure as governor in 2011.

Earlier, the Deputy Governor, Chief Joel Ogundeji had summarized the civic reception as a memorable day considering the pride Dr Saraki had brought to the State through the merit award as the first sitting governor in Nigeria to be so honoured.

He described him as a detribalized Nigerian, who also combines this with character and commended him for maintaining religious harmony and bringing great transformation to the State.

In their goodwill messages, a First Class traditional ruler in the State and the Emir of Shonga, Dr Haliru Yahaya, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), a former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Shehu Gafar and a former President of the Kwara Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Alhaji Jari Ibrahim, all eulogized Dr Saraki for his developmental efforts in the State for all and sundry as well as invaluable contributions to national issues.

They described him as a man who has made his mark in history as such worthy of being celebrated.

In his own reaction to the merit award, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Alhaji Ganiyu Cook Olododo expressed great joy for being part of the success story as the pioneer Chief of Staff to the man of history.

Alhaji Olododo said Dr Saraki is worth being rewarded by the Federal Government taking into cognizance his achievement in the area of infrastructural development at the State level and contributions to national development as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Mas’ud Adebimpe
Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor
25/07/10