The Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, has called on all Igala sons and daughters across the nation to stand united and build a formidable force for the peace, progress, and development of the Igala kingdom as well as to preserve the labours of our heroes past.
Prince Audu made the clarion call while delivering a keynote address at the 25th Memorial Anniversary Event held in honour of the late Dr. Stephen Makoji Achema on November 25, 2024 at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre, Abuja.
The Minister described the late Dr. Stephen Achema as a phenomenal patriot of Igalaland and a nationalist to the core, stressing that he fought for the emancipation of Igalaland, just like the late Prince Abubakar Audu.
Minister Audu recalled the Ukanugboda Accord of 1999 championed by the late Dr. Stephen Achema that contributed to the electoral victory of his father, Prince Abubakar Audu, as the Second Executive Governor of Kogi State as a spirit that must be preserved.
He assured of his continuous commitment to the unity, peace, and progress of Igalaland, pledging to use his position as Minister and the highest representative of Kogites and Igala’s at the Federal Executive Council to bring meaningful and sustainable development to the state.
“Today, we gather here with a profound sense of reverence as we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the passing of a remarkable politician, a stalwart, a true champion of Igala land, and a force to be reckoned with, Dr. Stephen Makoji Achema.
“A phenomenal patriot of Igala land and a nationalist to the core, Dr. Stephen Achema, just like my father, Prince Abubakar Audu, consistently fought for and championed the course of the Igala Nation and her people, ensuring we were never marginalised and building legacies that many of us, the younger generation of Igala land, are standing on today.
“As we honour this remarkable man today, let us also commit ourselves to continuing his noble work. Let us carry forward his vision of a prosperous Igala land where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to society.
As Minister of Steel Development and the representative of the Igala people and Kogi State at the Federal Executive Council, I am committed to building on the legacies of great patriots of Igala land like Prince Abubakar Audu and Dr. Stephen Achema to channel meaningful and sustainable developments to Kogi State and contribute to national development.
“Today gives me another opportunity to make a clarion call to all my dear brothers and sisters of the Igala kingdom: Let us unite irrespective of political divide and religion to build a formidable force for the peace, progress, and unity of our beloved Igala land; let the labours of our heroic fathers, the Late Dr. Stephen Achema and Prince Abubakar Audu, not be in vain. May their memories inspire us to be courageous advocates for change and unity, ensuring that the dreams they held for our people become a reality.
“I want to express my continued condolences to the family of Dr. Stephen Achema here present. And I wish to also point out that, as a show of unity to the Igala Nation, his first son, Daniel, was recently appointed by myself as one of my aides,” Prince Audu stated.
Delivering the Memorial Lecture, Prof. Jerry Gana, Former Minster of Information and Culture, also described the late Dr. Stephan Achema as a great Nigerian, Patriot of the Middle Belt, and true democrat who fought for the restoration of democracy and stood against the oppression of the masses.
Prof. Gana urged Kogites to stand united in order to harness the huge potential and resources of the state, which were the biggest dreams of the late Dr. Achema.
He also prayed for God’s guidance upon the Minister of Steel Development to deliver on his mandate of reviving Ajaokuta Steel Plant, another great vision of the late Dr. Achema.
The Chairman of the Occassion, Elder Statesman, Amb. Yahaya Kwande, who was represented by his son, Mr. Jibril Kwande, also described the late Dr. Achema as a beacon of hope to the entire nation who made an indelible mark in history.
Present at the event were several illustrious sons and daughters of Igalaland, including the former governor of Kogi State, Capt. Idris Ichala Wada; former Minister of State for Police Affairs, Mr. Humphrey Abah; Dr. S.S Ameh (SAN) First Attorney General of Kogi State; Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdullahi Halims; Member Representing Idah Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. David Zacharias; and former APC National Women Leader, Hajiya Salamatu Baiwa Umar-Eluma, among others.
