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Benue Governor Alia, Others Honoured at Accolade Yellow Ball & Awards 2026

Published

6 months ago

May 9, 2026

Joel Ajayi

The 6th edition of the Accolade Yellow Ball & Awards 2026 brought together governors, first ladies, ministers, captains of industry, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and public officials in Abuja for an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence, leadership, and national impact.

The prestigious event, organised by Accolade Dynamics Ltd, honoured distinguished individuals and organisations for their contributions to governance, entrepreneurship, humanitarian service, public administration, community development, and social impact across Nigeria and the African continent.

Among the notable personalities present at the event were the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia; the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah; and the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu.

Also in attendance were the First Lady of Enugu State, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, and the First Lady of Cross River State, Bishop Dr. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, alongside several distinguished guests from across the country.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Hon. Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure; and the Secretary to the Commission of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr. Mrs. Rose Omoa Oriaran-Anthony, were also among dignitaries present at the event.

Other prominent guests included logistics and trade expert, Mr. Nduka Udeh; members of the De Imperial Philanthropic Family; senior government officials; business leaders; development advocates; and stakeholders from different sectors of society.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Accolade Dynamics Ltd, Doofan Chizaram Tor, described the awards as a platform committed to recognising excellence, resilience, innovation, and transformational leadership across different sectors.

According to her, the initiative has continued to celebrate individuals and institutions making meaningful contributions in governance, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, humanitarian service, technology, and national development.

“Tonight is about recognising excellence across different sectors and celebrating individuals whose work continues to inspire progress and development. We are here to honour people who were nominated and voted for by members of the public through Accolade Dynamics Ltd,” she said.

Tor noted that the 2026 edition reflected the growing credibility and national reach of the platform, which she described as a recognition initiative dedicated to celebrating visionaries and changemakers shaping the future of society.

She further explained that this year’s selection process incorporated public participation through a voting system designed to ensure transparency, inclusiveness, and credibility.

“We did not only recognise political leaders. We also honoured entrepreneurs, companies, foundations, and individuals making tangible contributions within their communities and industries. The voting process allowed Nigerians to actively participate in identifying deserving recipients,” she added.

She encouraged young Nigerians and emerging leaders to remain committed to hard work, resilience, and excellence regardless of their background or circumstances.

Among the major highlights of the evening was the conferment of the Best Performing Governor in Infrastructural Development award on the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia. The award was received on his behalf by former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam.

Speaking at the event, Suswam said the recognition reflected the ongoing commitment of Governor Alia’s administration to infrastructural development and governance in Benue State.

“I believe the award reflects the ongoing efforts of the governor in laying foundations for sustainable development in Benue State despite prevailing challenges. His administration has continued to pursue infrastructural projects with determination, and this recognition is commendable,” he said.

Suswam acknowledged that security concerns, including clashes between herders and farmers as well as criminal activities, remained significant challenges within the state, while expressing optimism that continued support from the Federal Government would improve the situation.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the recognition as an indication that the ministry’s efforts toward women empowerment and social development were yielding positive results.

“A few days ago, women across Nigeria gathered under the ‘Power of 10 Million’ initiative to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for women, children, families, and vulnerable groups. Women from different political parties, generations, and regions came together in support of policies aimed at advancing women development in the country,” she said.

The minister further stated that the Federal Government was taking steps to strengthen Nigeria’s social welfare system through the implementation of the Social Work Council Act.

“Mr. President has prioritised the implementation of the Social Work Council Act, and Nigerians will soon witness the emergence of a stronger social work framework and a more effective welfare workforce across the country,” she stated.

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Politics

Yagba Rallies for Abejide, Tinubu, Ododo as Support Group Inaugurated in Mopa

Published

6 hours ago

November 15, 2026

The Gleamer

By Stephen Adeleye

Mopa (Kogi), Nov. 14, 2026 – Stakeholders from across Yagba Federal Constituency on Saturday converged on Cruise Memorial College, Mopa, in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State, for the inauguration of the Elder Leke Abejide Support Group.

Elder Leke Abejide, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is serving his second term in the House of Representatives, representing Yagba Federal Constituency, which comprises Mopamuro, Yagba East and Yagba West Local Government Areas. He is seeking re-election for a third term in the 2027 general elections.

Before the inauguration, members of the group had earlier embarked on a road walk across major streets and towns in Mopamuro LGA in solidarity with the lawmaker and to canvass support for his third term bid, as well as for the second term re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

The road walk, which attracted a massive turnout of supporters, party loyalists and residents, moved through Mopa town and other communities, with participants chanting solidarity songs and displaying banners in support of the three candidates.

The inauguration was organised by supporters of the lawmaker to mobilise grassroots support for what they described as a triple mandate: the re-election of Abejide, the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the re-election of Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

In his address, the Director General of the group, Chief Olorunsola Charles Yomi, said the group was formed by men and women who believe in Abejide’s leadership, transparency and performance.

He said the support group, and not the lawmaker himself, convened the inauguration to show solidarity and love for their principal, adding that Abejide would soon commence his own campaign.

Yomi disclosed that five persons had been selected in each ward across the three local government areas as ward executives of the group to coordinate mobilisation ahead of the elections.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the group, Hon. Adebayo Toba Emmanuel, popularly known as Belusi, said members came together under one umbrella, pooling their resources to canvass support for the three candidates.

Belusi, a former Special Assistant on Urban and Regional and Project Monitoring to Kogi Governor, said five canvassers and coordinators were drawn from each local government and integrated at the inauguration, and would be given stipends to work for the election.

He said the people of Yagba were encouraged by the ongoing road construction and improved security in the area, noting that residents could now sleep better and gather freely, unlike in the past when insecurity made such gatherings difficult.

He added that Abejide’s empowerment programmes had touched many lives, with another phase of empowerment scheduled for Dec. 26.

In her remarks, the former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Kogi State, Hon. Bolanle Amupitan, said Abejide deserved re-election because he had empowered youths, women and vulnerable widows over the past eight to 10 years.

Amupitan said women, who constitute the majority of voters, would be mobilised from house to house and ward to ward to vote for Abejide, Ododo and Tinubu, stressing that the constituency did not want to be in opposition.

She said legislative experience matters, noting that a legislator needs time at the national level to navigate the system and attract dividends of democracy to the constituency.

Also speaking, the former Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Sports, Dr M.D. Eseyin, corroborated the testimonies on Abejide’s quality representation and urged the people to unite behind him so he could attract more dividends of democracy to the constituency.

In a notable cross-party endorsement, the Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kogi State, Sunday Maiyaki, said Abejide was enjoying support across party lines because he is a household name in Yagba land and a man of his word.

Maiyaki said Abejide had given N10 million to 74 communities in Yagba land, with a second tranche expected, N100 million to women for empowerment, and had promised N500 million for youth empowerment.

He described Abejide as a talk-and-do person who delivers on his promises, and said the people want him returned to the National Assembly.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of Mopamuro Local Government Area, Hon. Demola Bello commended the people for their massive turnout, including the road walk, and urged them to come out en masse to vote for Abejide and President Tinubu.

He noted that Abejide had done well for the people of Yagba Federal Constituency, particularly in youth empowerment.

The inauguration ended with a charge to the newly inaugurated ward executives to return to their communities and commence mobilisation for the 2027 elections.

End

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