By James Oyewole
It was an end-of-year celebration with a difference – a difference in the sense it was hosted by the Christian Fellowship of the Kogi Civil Service Commission, but it had in attendance all staff of the Commission; Muslims and Christians alike. It was one event that reinforced the existing religious tolerance in the state.
It was put together to thank God for His faithfulness in the course of 2025 and importantly, to pray for greater blessings for the country, the state and the Commission. Event such as this, must have come with careful and thorough planning. To say that it was colourful, is stating the obvious.
It was an event loaded with many side attractions and without doubt, the Chairman of the Commission, Barrister Mohammed Musa, was not only at his best, he proved that he was in charge of his Constituency and his constituents, re-affirmed their love for him as they variously described him as a leader with a difference; one that carries everyone along. Given the way he carried himself, it is easy to see that if he was not a Lawyer, he would have probably ended up as a stand-up comedian. His rib-cracking jokes, made all the difference.
In his opening remarks, the Pastor-in-charge of the fellowship, Joel Sunday, said God proved himself mighty in the Commission in 2025, saying that, “looking back, we have every reason to be grateful to God.
“In the course of the year, our dynamic Chairman and all the Commissioners were reappointed for another term. Our former Permanent Secretary, Mr. Bala Negedu, bagged a doctorate degree, some of our members got elevated and so many other good things.
“God kept us. However, on a sad note, we lost one of our staff member in May, but in spite of everything, we have sufficient reasons to thank God. He is a faithful God and He really showed Himself mighty in our midst. We are gathered here to testify to the goodness of God in the lives of staff of the Commission.”
The event which featured ministration in songs, hymns, testimonies, special renditions and prayers, is one that not a few of those in attendance, said would be remembered for a long time. Thrilled by what he said, Barrister Tanko directed that another round of feasting be organised in January, 2026 to usher workers in the Commission into the new year.
Speaking on the topic; “Actualizing our hope in this season,” Pastor Joseph Solomon of Winners Chapel, said, “every effectual hope has a way of being a reality,” adding that, “when expectations is kept alive, nothing can stop the manifestation of your glory or testimony.”
Quoting extensively from the scriptures, Pastor Solomon, noted that hope is a potent weapon to actualising God’s plan in one’s life, stressing that, “hope connects us to the power of God to make us realise our desires.”
He was however emphatic that certain forces work against hope and named discouragement as one of those obstacles. He admonished against being discouraged while hoping for the manifestation of Gods promises.
“Never come to a point of discouragement or despondence. Work on your thought pattern because this is what the devil takes advantage of. Get connected to the living God because he is the reason for our hope,” he further buttressed.
Amidst a thunderous applaud, the Commission’s Chairman, while making his remark, acknowledged the presence of some individuals, including The Graphic Editor, Mr. James Oyewole, who he described as a very resourceful Civil Servant, who has remained supportive of every worthy cause and commenting on a lighter note, Barrister Tanko, praised the cooking skills of his staff, revealing that while sitting in his office, he perceived the aroma of their cooking and was compelled to ask to be served even before the start of the event. “I really enjoyed and relished it,” he enthused.
While conveting continuous prayers for the country, state and the Commission, the Chairman, reiterated the need for religious tolerance, insisting that God abhors intolerance of any kind and particularly, expressed joy that in the Commission, there is no Jew and there is no Gentile, saying that, “we have always worked as one.”
He admonished the former Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Negedu, who have been posted to the Bureau of Land, to avoid temptation and urged him to help drive the vision of the state Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo in his new place of assignment.
Also, he praised the Commission’s former Director of Account and Finance, Alhaji Wada Abdullahi Onuche for being a very meticulous Civil Servant, who had helped the Commission to get commendations in many quarters, describing him as a rare Civil Servant. He prayed God to uphold him in retirement, adding that he should not hesitate to heed the Commission’s call anytime his assistance is needed in any area.
Reacting to the outward display of love by staff of the Commission, Dr. Negedu said, he was overwhelmed by the show of love and promised to remain a worthy ambassador of the Commission anywhere he finds himself.
He said his experience at the Commission, in spite of his initial reservation after being posted there, was rewarding, noting that it gave him what he would describe as a head-start as a then newly appointed Permanent Secretary. He thanked the Commission’s Chairman for being a ‘father’ and appreciated the staff for their love.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civil Service Matters, Comrade Tade Adeyemi, appreciated the Commission’s Chairman for his transparent leadership and called on staff of the Commission to continue to support his vision of a more virile and productive Civil Service in the state.
He pleaded with the Chairman to impress it on the government to consider placing Directors, who have stayed long on the position and have been very productive and hard working, on Grade level 17, noting that this becomes imperative given the fact that spaces for the position of Permanent Secretaries are limited.
In his closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Fabian Shaibu, also described the Commission as a place of learning and applauded the Chairman for being exemplary, pointing out that, “within a short while that I was posted to the Commission, I have learnt many things and for this, I am grateful to the Chairman, who keeps his doors wide opened.”
Fabian urged staff of the Commission to continue to help the Chairman drive his vision for the Civil Service in the state as they have always done. He further promised to sustain the love and bond he met in the Commission by following in the footsteps of the Chairman.
Without doubt, this year’s end- of -year party of the Commission is one with a lot of difference – one that showcases that with love, boundaries can be broken and as the Bible says, “Love conquers all things,” including religious barriers. At the event, we saw Muslims singing and dancing to Christian songs- the love was palpable! It is one event that will linger in the hearts of all those in attendance.
