FG vows to revive Ajaokuta steel plant to boast nation’s economy

By Mark Akudu, Kogi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led administration at the weekend vowed to revive the moribund Ajaokuta steel plant to become functional, with the aim of boasting the economic prosperity of Kogi State and Nigeria as a country.

The Minister of steel development, Shaibu Abubakar made this known in a statement signed and issued to newsmen by the organizers of ‘Abubakar Audu Essay Competition’ held at the national library Lokoja in Kogi state.

The Nations News Nigeriareports that the assessment committee of the easy competition was equally inaugurated.

The convener of the exhibition, Mr. Bayode Makakese Oladipo, who spoke on behalf of the minister, charged Members of the committee to be professional in their assessment.

“You have been carefully selected to carry out this all important assignment. I therefore charged you to be very professional and give attention to every detail of the entries. I have no doubt that you will do a clean job, given your track records in the execution of similar assignments in the past.

The competition on the topic “Reactivating the Ajaokuta Steel Company as a means to Reinvigorating the Nigeria Economy” is powered by the BEBM exhibition.

According to the organizers, the competition is its modest contribution in support of the Minister of Steel Development, Shaibu Abubakar Audu’s efforts towards the revival of Ajaokuta steel company for economic prosperity of the Kogi State and Nigeria as a country.

The statement added that “the various MoU already signed by the federal government led by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and facilitated by the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, is a testament to the seriousness and determination of the present Administration to ensure that the Ajaokuta Steel Plant becomes functional.

Recall that the organizers of Built Environment and Building Materials, (BEBM) Exhibition had earlier extended the closing date for entry for eligible participants on the 2024 edition of the Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu Essay Competition, from 5th to 16th December, 2024.

The assessment committee has Associate, Ifeyinwa Genevieve Okolo, of the department of English and Literary Studies, Federal University Lokoja as the Lead Assessor.

Other members are; Sam Metiboba, Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State. Department of English, Mrs. Balagbogbo Omolola, lecturer, Dean School of General and Communication Studies, Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja and Monday Ayegba, department of Language and Communication, Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja.

The list includes Mr. Muhammad Atojoko, Head, Publications, Branding and Tax education, Kogi state Internal Revenue Service.

Others are, Miss Olufemi J. Senior English teacher, WAEC/NECO marker, Msc Student, Federal University Lokoja, Representative of the Minister of Ajaokuta Steel, Mrs Lizzy Okojie and Mr. Joel Tope Ebenezer, Lecturer, Head of department of Social Science and Humanities, Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja and Chairman Association of Nigeria Authors, Kogi state chapter as Coordinator of Essay Assessment.