Journalists, under the auspices of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), have honoured Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State with a ‘Role Model Award in Education’.
The body said the award was given to him in recognition of his outstanding achievements in education in his State in the last four years.
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According to the National President of NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, Governor Bello was singled out by the award committee out of the 36 state governors after painstakingly assessing the education sector in each State.
He explained that the ‘Role Model in Education Award’ is a special category award, given to Bello for bringing revolution to education in Kogi State.
“Apart from recognising political actors that have done well in press freedom, we also took time out to single out political leaders that have by their own actions made enormous contributions across sectors.
“For Governor Bello, we singled him out because of the massive transformation he has brought to the education sector and we are giving him the role model award in education.
“Oftentimes, political actors tend to confuse the role of the media as they see us from the point of view of antagonists.
“We are institutional partners. Where a government has done well, it is our responsibility to acknowledge such achievement; where the government has not done well, it is also our responsibility to challenge the same government,” he said.
Responding, Governor Bello said his administration identified the development of the education sector as key to a high level of human capital development needed for the emancipation of the people of the state.
He stated that the transformed education system was the reason why youths are no longer taking to crime in the State.
