Non-indigenes Council in Bayelsa honours 2 former leaders, applauds state government

The Supreme Council of Non-indegenes in Bayelsa has bestowed its merit award on two former President-Generals of the organisations as part of its end of year activities and festivities for the outgoing 2017.

The group, a coalition of non indegenes community associations from other states of the federation held the occasion with award of certificates of merit and presentation of plaques to the leaders at Ididi hotel, Ekeki in Yenagoa.

Mr Douglas Koko, pioneer leader of the group and Mr Adeshina Sanusi were the award recipients.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Chief Ade Bakare, President-General of the Council, noted that the two former leaders were selected due to their outstanding efforts in building the organisation to earn the respect and recognition by their hosts.





He noted that Koko had laid a solid foundation for the organisation for subseqent leaders to build on, saying that his pioneering role ensured the success of the organisation.

"We choose just two out of our past leaders not because they are better than others, but due to the tireless, selfless efforts they have put in to ensure the survival of this council and that is why we in the executive as we wind up our tenure choose to honour them.

"Under our tenure the ciuncil has grown in leaps and bounds and earned a pride of place in Bayelsa, five of our members were appointed as Special Assistants to the Bayelsa Governor and we owe the feat to the leadership quality of these our leaders," Bakare said.

Speaking further on the achievements of the group in the outgoing year, Bakare observed that 152 out of the 200 members guaranteed by the group have benefitted from the Bank of Industry loan facility for small scale businesses.

Koko in his reponse on behalf of his fellow award recipient pledged to work harder to foster unity amongst non-indegenes resident in Bayelsa as well as promote peaceful coexistence with Bayelsa people.

He lauded the acomodating spirit of the government and people of Bayelsa in providing space for businesses promoted by people from all parts of the country to thrive.