I am indeed humbled and overwhelmed by the invaluable solidarity and love I received from dignitaries from all walks of life on the special occasion of my 52nd birthday and the unveiling of the Shamsudeen Usman Sickle Cell Foundation.
I humbly and sincerely appreciate the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for the invaluable love extended to me before, during and after the special moment.
Your Excellency, I am and will always be grateful.
I also appreciate His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo, the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Aliyu Yusuf Umar; Majority Leader of the House, Honorable Suleiman Abdulrazaq and other distinguished members of the State House of Assembly for the show of love and affection.
My profound appreciation to the Accountant General of Kogi State, Hajia Habibat Oyiza Tijani Onumoko; the Head of Civil Service, Evangelist Elijah Ebenemi; Honourable Commissioners and other members of the State Executive Council for the invaluable love extended to me.
I will not also forget to appreciate the support and presence of Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Barrister Ladi Ahmed Jatto, OON.
I appreciate the Chairman, All Progressive Congress, Kogi State who doubles as Chairman, Organising Committee, Alhaji Abdul Bello (Dollar) and other party leaders and members across the divide; Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants and other Political Office Holders for their immeasurable support and commitment towards the success of the events.
I am also grateful to the Executive Chairman of Lokoja Local Government, Comrade Adamu Abdullahi and all other Local Government Chairmen who took time to honour our invitation.
My profound gratitude goes to the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja, Prof Olayemi Akinwunmi who graciously chaired the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba, Prof Marietu Ohunene Tenuche the mother of the day; the Vice Chancellor of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Prof Asipita; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) Federal University Lokoja, Prof. M. S. Audu; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba, Professor O.J. Saliu, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) Prince Abubakar Audu University, Professor Dan Atidoga and the Provost, COE, Ankpa, Professor Muhammed Ibrahim Kabir, for the immeasurable love and support.
I also appreciate all heads of tertiary institutions and their Principal Officers from within and outside the State who honoured my big day.
I appreciate the Royal Fathers in the State, most especially, the Ata Igala and President, Kogi State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Mathew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche Akpa,CFR, the royal father of the day, ably represented by the Ejeh Dekina, Alhaji Usman Obaje, the Obaro of Kabba, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi, the Maigari of Lokoja, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammed Kabir, Makarfi IV, the Ejeh Ibaji, Chief John Egwemi, the Ejeh Ofu, Alhaji Akwu Obaje, the Ohi of Adavi, His royal highness, Ireyi Muhammed Bello, the Ohi of Okene, His royal highness, Alhaji Isah Mamman, the Ohi of Ihima, His royal Highness, Alhaji Abduraheem Ogido, the Ohiegba of Mozum, His royal highness, Chief Khalid A. Bukar II and other royal fathers for the inestimable love you all showed me.
I appreciate the Chief Imam of Ankpa, Alhaji Salman Adams, JNI, Council of Ulama’u, the CAN and clerics of all faiths and denominations for their love and prayers.
I specifically appreciate the State Commissioner of Police, CP Bethrand Onuoha, all heads and representatives of security agencies in the state, representatives of various banks and other financial institutions. I appreciate you all for making the occasion colourful.
My deepest appreciation goes to Professor Hassan Saliu, President, Nigeria Political Science Association for the huge honour of serving as guest speaker.
I deeply and humbly appreciate, Mr. Daniel Abuh who authored an anthology of poems in my honour and all other contributors in the anthology.
I want to also appreciate the immediate past Chairman, Kogi State Polytechnic Governing Council, Professor Yakubu Isa and other members of the Council who graced the occasion.
Principal Officers, Management Members, Staff and Students of Kogi State Polytechnic, President and members of Kogi State Polytechnic Alumni Association, I am profoundly grateful for the immense love and solidarity.
Representatives of youths and students’ unions, women’s groups, my beloved family from Angwa-Ogebe and people from Ankpa, my immediate family, members of the fourth estate of the realm, corporate bodies, organizations, and individuals that are too numerous to mention. I say a big thank-you to you all.
The Director, Public Relations and Protocol Unit and her team, all members of the organising Committee, friends and well wishers, I profoundly appreciate you all.
You all made the occasion colourful, eventful and memorable.
Your presence was a clear indication of how much I am appreciated, and it will remain memorable all my life.
May you all be celebrated more than you have celebrated me.
Together, may we all work to make life better for the entire humanity.
God bless you all.
Professor (Chief) Salisu Ogbo Usman,
(Celebrant)
