By Dada Ahmed.
In a moving display of camaraderie and renewed commitment, members of the Kogi Central Think Tank Forum (KCTTF) came together in high spirits on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, to celebrate one another’s dedication, unity, and shared drive for progress during their monthly meeting held in Lokoja.
The gathering opened with prayers and warm greetings, setting a serene and uplifting tone that went beyond formalities. It reflected deep mutual respect, friendship, and a shared sense of purpose.
Amid the positive atmosphere, the forum’s secretary, Alhaji Baba Mohammed Sadiq, delivered a creatively styled message that mixed wit with sincerity and humour,juxtaposed with Egbira songs that thrilled members. He commended members for upholding the aims and objectives of the forum and applauded the expanding visibility of its activities, thanks to consistent media engagement.
He specifically praised the Forum’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Dada Ahmed, for effectively serving as the group’s “megaphone.” Citing the reportage of the Wednesday meeting held at the recently repaired forum headquarters, Baba Sadiq described the coverage as “embedded with all sense of professional crossing of the ‘T’ and dotting of the ‘I’.” With playful cheer, he added on the group’s WhatsApp platform, “With all sense of humor, the ‘I’s have it.”
His message sparked a wave of virtual applause from colleagues who appreciated the blend of humor and humility,a hallmark of the forum’s evolving identity and media presence within Kogi State and beyond.
The secretary also saluted the efforts of the Chairman of the Welfare Ad Hoc Committee, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, for overseeing the repair of the forum’s burnt hut, and the Chairman of the Research and Documentation Committee, Alhaji Abdulkarim Bello, for his steadfast commitment to the forum’s mission.
However, Baba Sadiq reserved his highest praise for the forum’s chairman, Comrade Haroun Opotu Yussuff. He described him as “a man who could move mountains if he so desires,” citing his expansive global network and visionary leadership. According to him, Comrade Yussuff’s charisma and direction have significantly enhanced the forum’s public image and internal unity.
Members wholeheartedly agreed with the secretary’s tribute, viewing it as a genuine reflection of the forum’s flourishing culture,anchored in respect, collective responsibility, and a shared vision for development.
“May Allah bless us all,” Baba Sadiq prayed, a simple yet profound benediction capturing the spirit of peace, brotherhood, and maturity that defines the forum’s work.
Beyond the celebration, the meeting also addressed a pressing concern: rising insecurity in Kogi State. Members lamented the growing menace of kidnapping, which has left many travelers traumatized and families forced to pay ransoms in the millions,while some victims, tragically, never return.
In light of this, the forum urged the Kogi State Government to initiate a bill to the State House of Assembly for the creation of a state-backed security outfit. The proposal aims to address the widespread criminality that continues to plague many areas in the state such as Karara, Banda, Ageva, Ogori, and other parts of the Western and Eastern Senatorial Districts.
They emphasized that Kogi’s geographic position,bordering nine other states, many of which are grappling with their own security challenges,has made Kogi a haven for fleeing criminals. The stretch between Karara and Banda on the Lokoja–Abuja highway, they noted, has become particularly notorious for kidnappings.
Forum members suggested that a regional security outfit in the state similar to the Amotekun Corps in the Southwest Nigeria, could go a long way in curbing this growing threat and restoring public confidence.
As the meeting drew to a close, with active guidance of Elders such as Adai Stephen Yakubu and Adai Moses Onivehu, members said they looked to the future with renewed hope.
With visionary leadership, dedicated committees, committed members and the unity,love they all share, coupled with blessed with the presence of elders of wisdom and versatility in experience,both in public and private life and have resolved to support the Forum to be promise land,members express firm belief that,indeed,the best is not far from the Forum.
Ahmed,also a media consultant, publishes The Reporters.
