Why Ankpa Community Stands Still For Dr Kashim Akor, Director General, National Productivity Centre, Abuja.
By Abubakar Yusuf, Abuja.
The road to Ankpa, ejilogu became more busier, not only for the yuletide of Christmas and new year in 2021, but for dignitaries who defied the period of yearly celebration to attend the conferment of ‘Award of Excellence’ on Dr Kashim Akor, Director General, National Productivity Centre, Abuja by his community in Ankpa on Wednesday, 28th December, 2021.
The event gave many dignitaries ample opportunity to honor a man who decided to give back to the society willy-nilly, without recourse to politics or any other ulterior motives, but basically to trigger communal services.
Dr Kashim Akor was singled out among many prominent Ankpa indigenes both at home and the diaspora on his interventions to the community in the area of employment, skill development, acquisition, security, provision of both transformers, to powered electricity and renewable energy with solar street lights, provision of ICT equipment tagged as “Infrastructural and human development.”
Prominent people from all walks of life cut across heads of ministries, departments and agencies of government both at state and federal level, business class and political class took time to honor Dr Kashim Akor.
Top management staff of the National Productivity Centre, board members and staffs of the agency disregard the Christmas yuletide to honor their own by arriving the ancient town of Ankpa, a day to the occasion to mark the historical event.
It was a honor well deserved when members of Ankpa Elders forum held a special session at the palace of the paramount ruler of Ankpa kingdom, The new Ejeh of Ankpa, HRH Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq with the presence of Onu Ankpa, HRH Alhaji Abdulmalik Umar, other traditional rulers from all walks of life, title holders both in Igala land far and near to join the people of Ankpa in honoring Dr Kashim Akor.
The event that started as early as 10:am lasted for over 8 hrs basically because of contributions from numerous personalities who came to the occasion with good will messages and comments on the patriotic efforts of the Director General to return the ancient Ankpa town to it’s old glory.
The provision of employment opportunities for the citizens of the area, electricity transformers and renewable energy through the mounting of solar street lights in strategic areas of the town, empowerment, training, skill development and capacity building to enable indigenes becomes self reliant and self sustenance.
Dr Kashim Akor had embarked on donation of computers and laptop to schools and colleges as well as the college of Education Ankpa to enhance e- learning and ICT in schools.
He had also facilitated communities around Ankpa in other areas that will ensure meaningful lives in those communities and adjoining ones.
For Ankpa Elders forum, Dr Kashim Akor had restored not only economic, social and community service to the people, but confidence in the existence of ordinary citizens from the area.
They said, he was singled out along with the local government chairman, Hon Ibrahim Jibrin Abagwu for complementing fragile security situations in the town that had become a nightmare from kidnapping, banditry, activities of criminals and criminality who had used the dearth of infrastructural development to unleash on the innocent people.
According to them, the clampdown by the local government administration on criminals was fully addressed through the lightning of major streets in Ankpa which was used as hideouts for the disgruntled elements.
In his speech at the occasion, the Onu Ankpa, Alhaji Abdulmalik Umar stressed the need for prominent indigenes of the area to join hands with Dr Kashim Akor to take Ankpa town to greater heights in all ramifications.
He said the celebration of the day was for people who had sacrificed for their community and not the other way round.
In his words, the new Ejeh of Ankpa said the people of Ankpa kingdom are proud of their son, Dr Kashim Akor, stated that the honor was well deserved.
Contributing to the occasion, the new chief Judge, Federal Capital Territory High Court, Justice Baba Hussein congratulated Dr Kashim Akor, he stated that good works does desire description, as it’s obvious for everyone to see.
A community leader, political figures, and one-time chairman, Ankpa local government, Alhaji Hassan Yakubu Enape congratulated the recipient, Dr. Kashim Akor for his selfless service to the people of Ankpa and the entire Igala Kingdom.
He reminded the people of Ankpa not to put too much pressure on him, as he is not under any obligations to provide the current items, but out of his magnanimity.
“Providing these items and equipment going out of his mandate as the director-General National Productivity Centre, NPC, but as part of their corporate social responsibility, CSR, as Ankpa town is not only his jurisdiction, but the entire country.”
Enape urged him to sustain his magnanimity in all areas, as posterity will carve a niche for him now and in the nearest future.
In his remarks, the chairman of Ankpa Elders Forum, Dr. Egene Adah along with his members stated that the rare opportunities being utilized for the betterment of his communities cannot be overlooked.
Reacting to the occasion, Dr. Kashim Akor, Director-General National Productivity Centre, NPC, expressed his happiness on the singular honor, saying he was overwhelmed by the confidence and encomiums showered on him, promising to continue to contribute his quota to the continuous development of Ankpa town, it’s adjoining communities, the entire Igala land, and Nigeria in general.
The occasion was climaxed by a well-thought-out reception at his residence in Ankpa, quarters of the local government area.
Dr. Kashim Akor expressed joy in the large turnout of dignitaries on the occasion, wishing them journey mercies back to their destination.
Yusuf Writes From Abuja and can be reached on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com