By Joy Salami
The maiden edition of the Kogi Extraordinary Awards has been scheduled for December 7, 2025, at Idrinana Hotel, Lokoja.
The initiative according to the organisers, is designed to celebrate individuals whose contributions have significantly advanced the development of Kogi State.
According to the organisers, the event aims to encourage excellence, inspire more service-oriented efforts, and establish a culture of recognition across the state.
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Team Lead of Frosia, the organising body, Mr. Temitope Williams, disclosed this during a media interaction. He explained that the award seeks to spotlight people within and outside Kogi State whose work has positively impacted society, noting that recognition often motivates individuals to do even more for their communities.
He said the awards were conceived after observing similar recognitions across Nigeria and emphasised that Kogi State deserves its own platform dedicated to celebrating excellence.
According to him, many Kogites making meaningful contributions often do so quietly and deserve to be acknowledged.
“When people are encouraged for their participation in the growth of the state, they want to do more; but when their efforts are neglected, they tend to withdraw. This award is our way of saying, ‘We see you, and we appreciate what you are doing,’” he stated.
Mr. Williams described Frosia as an idea-solution company that develops and executes creative concepts aimed at improving societies, organisations and communities.
He noted that while the Kogi edition is new, the initiative has been active in other states, including the Kaduna Extraordinary Awards. Bringing the project home, he said, became necessary to fill a gap in the state’s recognition landscape.
“It is not right to keep organising things outside the state and not bring anything home. Kogi State deserves its own platform for celebrating excellence and generating innovative ideas “, he added.
In a show of institutional support, Managing Director of The Graphic Newspaper, Mr. Yusuf Itopa, announced that the newspaper has partnered with the organisers to support the initiative.
He described the awards as a welcome development capable of elevating the profile of the state and motivating more people to work hard.
He referenced major national recognitions such as the ThisDay Awards and Daily Trust Awards, saying they have become strong platforms for celebrating excellence across Nigeria.
According to him, the Kogi Extraordinary Awards would serve as the state’s own brand of recognition, with The Graphic Newspaper as its official media platform.
“If you are doing something and people recognise you, it becomes a challenge not to relent. Those who are not recognised today will see that excellence is being rewarded and will strive to do better. That is how a society grows”, he said.
Mr. Itopa called on the Kogi State Government, institutions, and residents to support the event, stressing that such initiatives help build the state’s image and spotlight local talent. He also commended Radio Kogi for providing a platform to sensitise the public about the programmme.
The theme for the 2025 edition, “Celebrating Excellence,” reflects the vision of honoring credible individuals and inspiring others to contribute more toward community development. Organisers say the event will bring together professionals, entrepreneurs, public servants, philanthropists, and other distinguished personalities whose efforts have created meaningful impact.
