Goronyo Receives Leadership, Youth Development and Public Service Awards

Goronyo Receives Leadership, Youth Development and Public Service Awards

By Our Reporter

Abuja (Core Reporters) -The Minister of State for Works, Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., has been honoured with an Award of Excellence and inducted as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership in recognition of his contributions to leadership, youth development, public service and national development.

Goronyo was also decorated as a Youth Vanguard Ambassador under a programme being developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to provide platforms for young Nigerians to showcase their talents, innovations, research and leadership potential.

The honours were conferred on the Minister during a special ceremony held on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Minister’s Conference Hall, Mabushi, Abuja.

The ceremony was led by the Country Director, USA, Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership, Dr. Samuel Ojo.

Speaking at the ceremony, Goronyo expressed appreciation to the Institute and the organisers for finding him worthy of the recognition, describing the honour as both a privilege and a renewed challenge to contribute more to humanity and national development.

“It is not something small. I take it as a big thing and as another challenge to serve humanity,” he said.

The Minister said his commitment to leadership and youth development had taken him to various national and international platforms, including engagements with the Global Peace Foundation and participation in programmes in the United States of America and the Philippines.

He stressed that effective leadership must be anchored on transparency, honesty, integrity and accountability, urging public office holders to continually strive to make positive contributions to society.

Goronyo commended the organisers for recognising his contributions to youth engagement and development, stressing that empowering young Nigerians remains critical to the future of the country.

He also appreciated the Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, for the cordial working relationship and partnership between them since his assumption of office as Minister of State for Works.

Describing Umahi as “a brother and partner in progress,” Goronyo said their collaboration had contributed to advancing the objectives of the Ministry.

On the Federal Government’s infrastructure agenda, the Minister of State highlighted the strategic importance of road infrastructure to Nigeria’s economic growth and national development.

He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, had demonstrated a strong commitment to improving road infrastructure across the country through major legacy projects and strategic interventions.

Goronyo cited the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and other strategic road corridors as evidence of the administration’s determination to improve connectivity, facilitate economic activities and promote national development.

He added that the adoption of concrete technology on selected major projects would contribute to the durability and longevity of Nigeria’s road infrastructure.

The Minister called on Nigerians to continue supporting the administration’s development agenda, particularly its efforts to address infrastructure deficits and create an enabling environment for sustainable economic growth.

Earlier, Ojo explained that the ceremony was organised to formally honour and decorate Goronyo, who could not attend the Institute’s earlier programme due to a flight delay.

He said that, in addition to the Fellowship and Award of Excellence, the Institute selected the Minister as one of its Youth Vanguard Ambassadors because of his demonstrated commitment to youth development and leadership.

According to Ojo, the Youth Vanguard Programme is being developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to engage young Nigerians through intellectual, innovation and research challenges across tertiary institutions and among youths in the Federal Capital Territory and the 36 states of the federation.

He said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between young Nigerians with talents and the opportunities required to develop and commercialise those talents.

“We have a lot of talents in the field of innovation and research, but there is no bridge. We are trying to create that bridge through this programme in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development,” he said.

Ojo added that the programme would provide opportunities for young Nigerians to develop their talents, create jobs, promote innovation and contribute meaningfully to the future of the country.

He disclosed that the programme would operate at state, zonal and national levels, with plans for a national gathering to be officiated by the President and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.

Accepting the Fellowship and professional induction, Goronyo pledged to uphold the principles of integrity, accountability, professionalism, human rights, inclusion and respect for the dignity of all persons.

He further committed himself to investing in human-capacity development and supporting the advancement of the management profession for sustainable and inclusive development.

The Minister reaffirmed his commitment to serving as a positive example to those he leads and remaining accountable to the people and society for his actions.

The citation presented at the ceremony highlighted Goronyo’s extensive experience in public service, law, politics and youth mobilisation.

It noted that he had served in various capacities within the political and public service space, including at the local government level and within party structures, and had played a significant role in youth mobilisation during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election.

The citation also highlighted his service across different arms and levels of government, including his appointment as Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation before his deployment to the Federal Ministry of Works as Minister of State.

Goronyo is a member and Fellow of several national and international professional organisations and associations, reflecting his experience in law, management, public relations, engineering, environmental matters, peacebuilding and leadership.

The ceremony was attended by officials and representatives of the Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership, members of the media and other invited guests.