Maryam Aminu
Dr. Baba Abdul Bala, a renowned development consultant and behavioural change specialist, 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 impact on youth, sports, and peace-building initiatives in Ogba Community and Bassa Local Government Area of the state.
Dr. Baba Abdul Bala receiving his award
The award was conferred on December 27, 2025, at the NUJ Press Centre, Lokoja, during a ceremony organised by the Ogba Community Development Union (OCDU), Nigeria, where Dr. Abdul Bala serves as a patron.
Speaking at the event, the President-General of OCDU, Dr. Ishaq Dan-Imam, described the awardee as a highly skilled and knowledgeable social and behavioural change expert with over 15 years of professional experience.
He noted that Dr. Abdul Bala has played a remarkable role in the Ogba Community rebirth project through youth training programmes, capacity-building initiatives and philanthropic interventions.
Dr. Dan-Imam further highlighted Dr. Abdul Bala’s sponsorship of the Bassa Peace Football Tournament, an initiative designed to foster reconciliation and consolidate the peace process in Bassa Local Government Area after years of communal hostilities.
According to him, the honour was in recognition of Dr. Abdul Bala’s commitment to community governance, youth empowerment and sustainable development, stressing that the Ogba Community Development Union remains resolute in celebrating individuals and organisations that make tangible impacts through personal development and social transformation initiatives.
He described Dr. Abdul Bala as a visionary youth advocate and development partner, noting that his work spans organisational development, youth mentorship, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and institutional strengthening across Nigeria and beyond.
Dr. Dan-Imam added that Dr. Abdul Bala has successfully implemented challenging social and behavioural change programmes, strategic planning sessions and system-strengthening initiatives in communities and public institutions across Nigeria, Africa, Europe and the United Arab Emirates.
2nd from left: the President-General of OCDU, Dr. Ishaq Dan-Imam in a group photograph with the awardee and other guests
A highly sought-after trainer and facilitator, Dr. Abdul Bala has worked as a consultant with several government institutions, 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.
Dr. Baba Abdul Bala 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.
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