The Minister of State for works, Barrister Bello Goronyo has urged Nigerian youths to leverage technology and innovations to achieve self-sufficiency within their localities.
Goronyo gave the advice while speaking at an award ceremony tagged Caliphate Icons Award, organised by Amazing Fame Concept, a Sokoto-based organisation dedicated to celebrating excellence, integrity and selfless service.
The Minister who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, said the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda has created opportunities, particularly for youths to thrive in any field of their endeavours.
He urged the youths to explore technology and innovation in scaling up their values in the society or organisation they found themselves.
The Minister commended the organisers for recognising competence, dedication and hard work in society.
He also congratulated the awardees and urged them to remain steadfast in making positive impacts within their respective fields and communities.
In his opening remarks, the Founder of Amazing Fame Concept, Comrade Ola Matthew, described the event as more than an award ceremony.
According to him, it is a platform for telling local stories, preserving legacies and inspiring the next generation to pursue greatness with purpose.
“Recognition is more than applause; it is encouragement. It inspires those doing good to do more and reminds others that excellence does not go unnoticed,” he said.
Comrade Ola added that while good deeds often go unnoticed, negative narratives tend to spread widely, stressing that the initiative was conceived to publicly celebrate individuals shaping society positively and to counter unfavourable perceptions about the state.
He further highlighted other initiatives of the organisation aimed at projecting the achievements and potential of Sokoto State, including the annual Amazing Fame Magazine, which documents success stories and showcases the resilience and opportunities within the state.
He also noted that Amazing Flame Concept organises the Sokoto Kids Cup, a football competition for primary schools designed to discover young talents, promote teamwork and instil discipline among children.
He noted that similar curriculum activity tagged Sokoto Best Brain Contest – Spoken Words Slam, was initiated to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence Day and foster patriotism, critical thinking and public speaking skills among secondary school students in the state.
A paper presentation: The power of purposeful Influence: Turning Recognition into Responsibility by Dr. Mansur Isah Buhari, the state coordinator AGILE project.
Prominent personalities including the wives of the Kebbi State, Hajiya Zainab Nasare Nasir Idris and one of the Sultanate Counsellors, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu were honoured for their outstanding contributions to social development and humanitarian service.
While Zainab Idris was honoured for her commitment to the welfare, empowerment and development of women in Kebbi state, Professor Junaidu, Wazirin Sokoto, received Champion of Progressive Leadership and Advocacy Award.
The organisers said the renowned scholar of Islamic and Arabic literature was celebrated for his significant contributions to scholarship, cultural preservation and for helping to strengthen the Sokoto Caliphate’s historic role as a centre of learning, moderation and heritage.
Also, Sokoto State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Ibrahim Dadi-Adare emerged as Man of the Year in recognition of his leadership and service in grassroots governance and community development while his Kebbi State counterpart, Hon. Abubakar Dutsinmari won the Outstanding Humanitarian Award.
Similar awardees include Sokoto based tech coach, Kabir Umar Dan Aminu was honoured in Mentorship Excellence in Digital Excellency Award, Anas Sanusi Gusau was named Young Entrepreneurial excellence Award and Kolawole Samuel, a Social media consultant who was honoured with Tech for Social Impact Award.
Others include, Chairperson, Nigeria Bar Association, Sokoto State, Barrister Rashida Mohammed who received Outstanding Leadership Award, Sokoto Professional Network, a nonprofit organisation won Transformative Community Partner Award, and Zainab Abdunaseer, a renowned journalist and disability advocate who won Trailblazer category.
The event showed the presentation of a certificate of excellence to Wife of Sokoto State governor, Hajiya Fatimah Fatimah Ahmed Aliyu who was named among the 30 Amazing Women for their outstanding achievement in the society.
