Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in recognition of his contributions to governance and public service.
The prestigious award was presented during a ceremony held at the NUJ National Secretariat in Abuja, attended by media executives, veteran journalists, and political figures.
The NUJ leadership cited Bello’s developmental projects in Kogi State, particularly in infrastructure, education, and security, as key factors in their decision. They also commended his accessibility to the press and his administration’s engagement with the media throughout his tenure.
In his acceptance speech, Bello expressed gratitude for the recognition, dedicating the award to the people of Kogi State. He emphasized the importance of media-government collaboration in fostering democracy and national development. The event also featured discussions on press freedom and the role of journalism in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
This recognition comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving the former governor, though the NUJ stated the award was based strictly on his governance record and media relations. The union reaffirmed its commitment to celebrating excellence in leadership while maintaining its watchdog role in society.
The ceremony concluded with a call for improved working conditions for journalists and stronger protections for media professionals across Nigeria. Other awards were presented to distinguished journalists and media organizations for outstanding reporting and contributions to the profession.
