Former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Media Empowerment by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The award was presented during the Union’s 70th anniversary celebration and book launch held on Saturday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
Receiving the award on Bello’s behalf was former NUJ President and ex-senator for Kogi West, Smart Adeyemi.
According to NUJ President and Deputy President, Mrs. Abimbola Oyetunde, who co-signed the nomination letter, the recognition was based on Bello’s significant support for journalists, especially during his tenure as governor.
The NUJ also commended his annual initiative—the GYB Workshop for Correspondents and Editors—which trained over 200 journalists each year on developmental reporting and writing skills.
The event included essay competitions judged by veteran media professionals and journalism professors, with winners receiving cash prizes and other rewards.
In his acceptance speech delivered through Adeyemi, Bello expressed gratitude to the NUJ for the honour and reaffirmed his continued commitment to journalists’ welfare.
He also praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, stating that they were already producing visible results. Bello assured that Kogi State, under Governor Usman Ododo, would deliver full support to Tinubu in the 2027 elections, declaring there was no room for opposition in the state.
The event drew dignitaries from across the country, including the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, who represented President Tinubu.
Also present were former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba; Sunday Dare, former Minister of Youth and Sports; and representatives of several state governors.