Ishaq Dan-Imam, Lokoja
A Nigerian development consultant and behavioural change specialist, Dr. Baba Abdul Bala, has been honoured with the Ogba Merit Award 2025 in recognition of his distinguished community service and contributions to grassroots development in Kogi State.
Dr. Abdul Bala, who serves as a patron of the Ogba Community Development Union (OCDU), received the Distinguished Community Service Award (DCSA) for his impactful interventions in youth and sports development within the Ogba Community and the wider Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Through several youth-focused training programs, he has empowered young people as a trainer, consultant, philanthropist, and key stakeholder in the Ogba Community rebirth project.
The award ceremony took place on 27 December 2025, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Lokoja.
Speaking at the event, the President-General of the Ogba Community Development Union, Dr. Ishaq Dan-Imam, described Dr. Abdul Bala as a highly skilled and knowledgeable social and behavioural change specialist with over 15 years of professional experience.
According to Dr. Dan-Imam, Dr. Abdul Bala is also the sponsor of the Bassa Peace Football Tournament, an initiative designed to foster reconciliation and strengthen the peace process in Bassa Local Government Area following years of communal hostilities.
He noted that the tournament has played a vital role in promoting unity, dialogue, and coexistence among youths in the area.
The OCDU President-General stated that the honour was in recognition of Dr. Abdul Bala’s consistent commitment to community development, youth empowerment, and peace-building initiatives in the Ogba Community.
He stressed that the union remains committed to recognizing individuals and organizations that make meaningful contributions to community governance, social cohesion, and sustainable development.
He further described Dr. Abdul Bala as a dynamic and self-motivated young leader with a strong passion for youth development, institutional strengthening, and community governance in Nigeria and beyond.
As a seasoned trainer and facilitator, he has successfully implemented social and behavioral change programs, system-strengthening initiatives, strategic planning sessions, and capacity-building projects focused on organizational development, youth mentorship, entrepreneurship, and skills acquisition.
Dr. Abdul Bala, the Chief Executive Officer of Starex Consults Global Services Ltd and MCBENZ Global Consults, has facilitated business innovation and development trainings for organizations across Nigeria, Africa, Europe, and the United Arab Emirates. He is known for his innovative, engaging, and results-driven facilitation techniques.
He has also served as a training consultant to several government agencies and 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, National Space Research and Development Agency, among others.
Dr. 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.
