By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
The Shamaki Development Initiative Forum (SDIF) has organized a maiden annual award ceremony in honour of its outstanding sons and daughters who distinguished themselves in community services that promote Shamaki and its people.
Speaking during the ceremony at the Gombe State University New Multipurpose Hall on Sunday, chairman of the forum Malam Musa Adamu, said 11 members of the community were identified at the first instance for the award of excellence, to appreciate their unique contributions to Shamaki Ward.
He said the awardees who cut across various walks of life, were closely monitored by the forum, and decided to encourage them to do more, as well as serve as reference for others to emulate.
The chairman said the forum which started as group of friends for self supports in 2010, has extended its tentacles to other members of the community.
He added that “Shamaki Development Initiative Forum was able to provide hundreds of employment opportunities for our youths, scholarships for students, and supports for orphans and the less privileged”.
Musa added that the award is just starting, as there are other hundreds of Shamaki sons and daughters who deserve similar recognition.
The recipients of the award of excellence were Alhaji Usman Adamu Turaki, Former Comptroller Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Commissioner of Police Aihaji Adamu Damji, Chief Medical Director Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe Dr. Yusuf M. Abdulahi, Field Operation Manager Em-One Energy Solutions Abubakar Gidado, Gombe State Commissioner Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation Associate Professor Abdullahi Bappah Ahmed, Federal Commissioner Federal Civil Service Dr. ibrahim Jalo Daudu, Provost College of Medical Science Gombe State University Professor Muhammad Muhammad Manga, Manager Total Filling Station Gombe Alhaji Bappah Abubakar, Deputy United Nations Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed, Major General MB Wabili and a postmortem award of excellence to Senior District Head of Gombe Late Alhaji Abdulkadir Abubakar (Yariman Gombe).
In his remark, the Chairman of the occasion and Chairman Gombe Local Government Barrister Sani Ahmad Haruna represented by his deputy Muhammad Adamu Manga tasked members of the forum on unity for sustenance of the initiative.
Father of day Alhaji Usman Mohammad (Shamakin Gornbe) appreciated members of the forum for their foresight, assuring them of full support and cooperation.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of the awardees, Alhaji Usman Adamu Turaki, appreciated the forum for recognizing what he described as the little they give back to the society, assuring of their commitments to continue on their philanthropic journey.
In his address the special guest of honour Gombe State Grand Kadi, Kadi Abdullahi Maikano Usman commended the forum for their commitments to the development of Shamaki, advising them to redouble effort and fervently engage in prayers for the success of the forum.
Kadi Maikano Usman who is one of the patrons of the forum, assured members of their unwavering commitments to stand by them at all cost.