By Ishaq Dan-Imam, Lokoja
A renowned development consultant and behavioural change specialist, Dr. Baba Abdul Bala, has been honoured with the Ogba Merit Award 2025 for his outstanding contributions to community development in Kogi State.
Dr. Abdul Bala, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Starex Global Consults Ltd and McBenz Global Consults, received the Distinguished Community Service Award (DCSA) in recognition of his sustained commitment to youth empowerment, sports development, and peacebuilding initiatives in Ogba Community and Bassa Local Government Area of the state.
The award ceremony was held on December 27, 2025, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Lokoja.
Presenting the award, the President-General of the Ogba Community Development Union (OCDU), Dr. Ishaq Dan-Imam, described Dr. Abdul Bala as a seasoned social and behavioural change expert with over 15 years of professional experience.
According to him, Dr. Abdul Bala is the sponsor of the Bassa Peace Football Tournament, an initiative designed to promote reconciliation and consolidate the peace process in Bassa Local Government Area following years of communal hostilities.
He noted that the recipient has executed several youth training and capacity-building programmes across Ogba Community, serving as a trainer, consultant, and philanthropist, and playing a significant role in the Ogba Community Rebirth Project.
“For his immense contributions to youth development, peacebuilding, and community governance, Dr. Baba Abdul Bala truly deserves this honour as a development partner, visionary youth advocate, and community leader,” Dr. Dan-Imam said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Ogba Community Development Union to recognising individuals and organisations whose initiatives positively impact community governance and sustainable development.
Dr. Dan-Imam further described Dr. Abdul Bala as a highly motivated young leader with exceptional interpersonal and human relations skills, noting that he has successfully implemented social and behavioural change programmes, systems-strengthening sessions, strategic planning, and capacity-building initiatives in youth mentorship, entrepreneurship, institutional development, and skills acquisition.
“These programmes have benefited communities and public institutions across Nigeria, Africa, Europe, and the UAE, where he has facilitated innovative business development and organisational growth trainings,” he added.
Dr. Abdul Bala has also served as a training consultant to several government agencies, including the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, National Identity Management Commission, Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, National Judicial Institute, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, and the National Space Research and Development Agency, among others.
Academically, he holds a Higher National Diploma in Secretarial Studies, a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management, and a PhD in International Relations and Diplomacy.
