By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
Mbakor Community Development Association (MCDA), Makurdi branch, of Benue State, has honoured the former Auditor-General of the Federation, Dr. Samuel Ukura; Hon. Simon Shango, elder statesman; and the former Minority Leader in the Benue State House of Assembly, Dr. Benjamin Bem Mngutyo.
The community also honoured Professor Terfa Ahon Adaka; former Permanent Secretary, Mr Terna Ahua; DCM Edward Aondowase Zamber, who retired from Federal Road Safety Corps; university don and Director, Research and Publication, at Benue Public Service Institute Makurdi, Dr Mark Nyitse; and late Col. John Nenger, who was honoured posthumously.
Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Ukura, who appreciated the community for the honour, charged members to remain united and indivisible to enable them achieve success in all they do.
The former Auditor General, who was represented by Professor Daniel Momngu Tiough, promised to remain supportive of the community, disclosing that the honour has spurred him to be more committed to the service of his fatherland.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Andew Torhile Uchi, who acknowledged that Mbakor community was blessed with people like late J.S Tarka and Senator George Akume, the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), also appealed for support to enable the latter succeed.
Uchi also warned against anything capable of generating bad blood and division and wondered why some people chose to celebrate others’ downfall and lament when people are elevated.
The Chairman of Mbakor community in Makurdi, Mr. Augustine Torough, in his remarks, charged them to imbibe the virtues of love, unity, care, describing these qualities as the bedrock of the community’s strength.
The Chairman spoke of the essence of raising funds for the community, revealing that the community had acquired a piece of land and was desirous of building a secretariat for development purposes.
The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Professor Daniel Momngu Tiough informed that the occasion was meant to celebrate Mbakor people, honour illustrious sons, one posthumously, and raise money for the building of a secretariat.
Professor Tiough called on Mbakor sons and daughters residing in Makurdi who were yet to join the association, to row in same boat as their kinsmen/women for the purpose of charting a positive course of the development of Mbakor community.
PHOTO CAPTION: Former Auditor-General of the Federation, Dr. Ukura.
