By Yahaya Idris, Kogi.
Shuaibu Abubakar Audu Foundation has continue to gain more recognitions, commendations within and outside the state following its vast contributions in areas of provision of portable drinking water, health care facility and among other things. The commendations was laid down when he visited some royal fathers, prominent leaders and family members across the eastern senatorial district of the State.
The Grand Patron, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu Foundation (SAAF), Alhaji Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, Saturday visited some prominent Igala leaders over their supports, solidarity and loyalty over some decades to his late father who was the first and second Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Prince Abubakar Audu of the blessed memory, who died on the eve of elections day that saw him coasting home to victory.
He was at the Igah Ikeje community in Olamaboro LG where he met a very good friend of his father Rtd Col. Suleiman Babanawa, a former Gubernatorial candidate on the platform of the MRDD in Kogi State.
According to Shuaibu, he is in his domain to appreciate all his support to his father over many decades when he was alive. He also brief him on the primary reasons for coming up with a foundation and the ongoing commissioning of some water projects spread across the breadth and length of the State.
Shuaibu said his aims to provide water source to Kogi people was base on consultations that some communities especially women and children has to travel long distance to access drinking water convince him to intervene as well do everything within his reach and safe them from contracting diseases that may arise as a result of unclean water source.
He further stated that he has earlier visited some royal fathers across the State which include: Ohinoyi of Ebira land, HRM. Dr. Alhaji Abdulrahman Ado Ibrahim, the Obaro of Kabba, HRM. Oba Solomon Dele Awoniyi, Ejeh of Dekina, HRH. Dr. Aliyu Obaje, Ohi of Adavi, Orego Attah Igala of Ogbonicha, HRH. Alhaji Tijjani Audu and host of others when he visited the areas for commissioning of the water projects, they also supervised the commissioning of the projects.
He thanked the people of the State for the warmest reception accorded him throughout his tours and described Kogi people as one big family, adding that his foundation will to continue to improve on the lives of the downtrodden.
On his part, Rtd. Col. Suleiman Babanawa, congratulated Alhaji Shuaibu Abubakar Audu’s Foundation for its courage, selflessness and ability having the mindset to give back to the society out of his personal earnings was indeed highly commendable, urging others to emulate his style.
The veteran military officer cum pragmatic grassroot politician took him along memory lane of his late father’s contributions to the state starting from when he was a Banker, commissioner in old Benue State and as a Governor of Kogi State, how he was able to influence many developments to the people of Kogi State especially the Igala Land had earned him more respect and endeared him to Kogi people irrespective of religion, tribe and social consideration. He pray God for success of the foundation as to achieve its set goals.
Alhaji Shuaibu Abubakar Audu also visited Ogugu where he was received by Ochogwu of Ogugu kingdom, supported by Odu Ogidiga of Emodu and some other chiefs in council all pray God for his long live, strength and sound continue the good works he has started.
While at Ogugu, he visited his late grandmother’s house and mother of the former Governor, he was received by his only surviving Aunt, Mrs. Lucy Ohiemi amidst tears, While welcoming Shuaibu, she showed him a photograph she had with late Prince Abubakar Audu prior to 2015 general elections and two weeks after he died. She held Shuaibu for over 40 minutes hugging him, praying for the success of his foundation.
The foundation move to Ette community formerly in Enugu State, where Alhaji Shuaibu visited resident of his great grandmother, he was usher in by most senior member of the family, Pa Onowgu.
The family member expressed gratitude to God for keeping them to grace this special day, saying Shuaibu is a photocopy of his late father whom they described as the return of Audu to limelight.
He also visited his late mother family’s resident in Iboko community of Ofu LGA, his mother was both the first and second first lady when Prince Abubakar Audu served as two term Governor in Kogi State.
Alhaji Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, visited the grave of his mother situated inside the family house, he prayed God for her peaceful repose.
Other places visited include, Aloma community, Ogbonicha family houses to register his present in the state and his primary objectives using his foundation to cater for the vulnerable people of Kogi State.
Alhaji Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, was accompanied by the Chairman of the foundation, Hon. Prince Idoko Ogacheko who led other members of the foundation, Mallam Muhammed Rod Lokoja, media team, family members and well-wishers among others.
