By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
The Founder of the Kogi Unity Movement (KUM), Mal. Abdullahi Ubeida, has called on the newly inaugurated executive council to start strong by designing and implementing programs to uplift the welfare of members.
Speaking during KUM’s monthly meeting in Lokoja on Tuesday, Ubeida encouraged members not to rely on politicians for sustenance but instead to support each other and pursue self-sufficiency.
He emphasized that KUM is a non-partisan organization with no political affiliations, aimed at uniting Kogi’s diverse ethnic groups and non-indigenous residents for shared progress.
Ubeida noted that KUM was created to facilitate mutual support among members, especially in business, by encouraging patronage within the group to promote economic growth.
For retired members facing difficulties in accessing their benefits, Ubeida invited them to submit applications outlining their issues, which he would bring to the relevant authorities for resolution.
He expressed delight at the growing attendance at KUM meetings, while cautioning members against a lax attitude. He warned that any member absent from two consecutive meetings without valid reasons would be removed from the group.
Ubeida also assured members that, in the future, KUM would organize workshops and seminars to gather members’ opinions and aspirations, which would then be presented to the government and key institutions for action.
Earlier, former acting president of the movement, Mal. Aliyu Yussuff, informed members that KUM has been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to establish it as a legal entity.
The President of the movement, Mal. Yesufu Omuya Ahmadu, expressed the council’s commitment to swiftly pursuing the movement’s goals and objectives for the benefit of its members.
In his vote of thanks, Chief Okpanachi Bala Nicholas, an executive member of the movement, commended the founder for initiating the idea of KUM and for his efforts toward its growth.
Chief Nicholas urged members to pray for the founder’s wisdom in furthering the movement’s development. He also advised the founder to present members’ aspirations to the state government, emphasizing the importance of KUM members benefiting from the dividends of democracy extended by the Ododo-led administration.
He noted that members of the movement contributed to the current government’s electoral victory in Kogi State and, therefore, should benefit from government programmes aimed at improving the material conditions of the people to great extent.
Highlight at the meeting was the presentation of four members of KUM who were honored by UK organization, Pillar of Peace International,for their Artistic Achievements, Character formation and intellectual acumen, on October 12,2024 at the Federal College of Education,Okene among others.
Our correspondent reports that, membership of KUM is opened to all kogites from the three Senatorial districts of the state and non-indigenes.
