The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has bagged the 2024 Service Delivery Award from the management of Blueprint Newspaper for his outstanding performance.
A statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, disclosed that the award was presented during the newspaper’s Public Lecture, Impact Series, and Awards Ceremony, themed “Exploring the Potential of Livestock Export”, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja.
The statement said while speaking, at the event, the Minister emphasized the importance of livestock development in Nigeria and commended Blueprint Newspaper for its role in raising public awareness on national issues.
Prof. Utsev expressed his gratitude to the management of Blueprint for the honour and dedicated the award to God Almighty and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to delivering on its mandate and pledged continued support for public education and service delivery, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu’s administration.
Earlier in the event, the Chairman of the occasion and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, highlighted the strategic importance of the livestock sector in Nigeria’s export expansion agenda.
He described the theme “Exploring the Potentials of Livestock Export” as timely, noting that the recent creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development by President Tinubu is a deliberate move to harness the sector’s potential to drive industrial growth, enhance foreign trade, and address socio-economic challenges.
Senator Akume also acknowledged the media’s crucial role in guiding national development and sustaining democracy. He urged the press to continue stimulating public discourse that offers practical solutions to national challenges.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, emphasized the media’s pivotal role in nation-building. He called on media professionals to maintain objectivity, hold public officials accountable, and remain steadfast partners in national development.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Managing Director/CEO of Blueprint Newspaper, Mr. Salisu Umar, stated that the awardees were carefully selected based on their outstanding contributions and achievements in their respective fields.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Attahiru Jega, former INEC Chairman and current Special Adviser to the President as well as National Coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform Initiative.
Highlights of the event, according to the statement, included goodwill messages from the Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake; the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; His Royal Highness, the Etsu Nupe; Brig. Gen. Yahaya Abubakar (Rtd) CFR and several other dignitaries.
It said a major highlight was the presentation of awards to the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Minister of Works, David Umahi and other distinguished Nigerians who have excelled in various sectors.
The Blueprint Public Lecture, Impact Series, and Awards Ceremony witnessed the presence of several eminent personalities, including members of the National Assembly, academia, senior government officials, media professionals, and other stakeholders.
