By Abdullahi Idris Sadaukin Zuru
The media, recognized as the fourth estate of the realm in Nigeria, plays a critical role in governance and public enlightenment under both military and democratic administrations.
In line with this understanding, the Governor of Kebbi State, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, has dispatched his media team to leading media organisations across the country to engage Chief Executives and strengthen collaboration for the wider publicity of the administration’s developmental programmes and policies.
The advocacy delegation was led by the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Yakubu Ahmed BK. Members of the delegation included four Special Advisers: Abdullahi Idris Sadaukin Zuru, Communication and Strategy; Yahaya Sarki, Media and Publicity; Aliyu Bandado, New Media; Ibrahim Abubakar Jombali, Public Enlightenment and Orientation; and Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary.
Although the Comrade Governor Idris administration has continued to receive fair coverage across mainstream, electronic and social media platforms, the visit was undertaken to consolidate the partnership and further deepen collaboration for greater impact.
During the visit, the team received warm receptions and commendations from the Chief Executives of various media organisations.
The commendations were based on direct assessments from periodic visits to Kebbi State, independent observations, and sustained media coverage of the state over the last three years.
The first point of call was Optimal Image Communications/3rd Eye Television, where the Chairman, Alhaji Shuaibu Yusuf Mungadi, acknowledged: “We have witnessed visible and unprecedented development in Kebbi State. We assure you of our continuous support for Governor Nasir Idris’ administration.”
At the Voice of Nigeria (VON), the Director General, Alhaji Jibrin Ndace, noted: “The Idris administration has executed high-quality infrastructure that has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of Kebbi State.”
Similarly, at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Blueprint Newspapers, the Managing Directors, Mallam Ali M. Ali and Alhaji Salisu Umar, respectively, concurred: “Comrade Governor Idris has empowered the people through the provision of free farming inputs. He has also opened up Kebbi State for both indigenous and foreign investors in agro-allied entrepreneurship.”
At the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the Director General, Alhaji Abdulhamid Dembos, stated: “The Governor’s remarkable turnaround of the state’s socio-economic fortunes in the last three years is commendable.”
The team also visited Global Television, where the Acting Managing Director, Hajiya Aisha Larai Musa, declared: “We have monitored the rapid transformation in Kebbi despite pockets of opposition. We advise the Comrade Governor not to be distracted but to maintain the tempo.”
At African Independent Television (AIT), the management associated itself with the successes being achieved by Comrade Governor Nasir Idris, saying: “We extol the exemplary leadership qualities of Comrade Governor Nasir Idris, particularly in the provision of critical infrastructure with direct bearing on the lives of the people.”
The leadership of the Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum also corroborated the various testimonies. The National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Yelwa, Ajiyan Yauri, said: “Having led members from the 19 northern states to a two-day conference on security challenges sponsored by the Governor, I am in the best position to attest to his impactful socio-economic development programmes.”
The Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Muhammad Bulama, summed up his assessment: “While we in Radio Nigeria are proud of uplifting the people and uniting the nation, Comrade Governor Nasir Idris is committed to revitalizing the economic potential of the state and uniting its multi-ethnic and religious communities.”
The Managing Directors of DAAR Communications (AIT) and Media Trust Group, Chief Marcel Anyalechi and Alhaji Ahmed Shekarau, respectively, expressed similar views: “The giant strides recorded in the educational sector represent a wise investment for a greater tomorrow.”
The Managing Directors of Leadership Newspapers and People’s Daily, Mu’azu Elazeh and Alhaji Ahmed Muharazu, respectively, declared: “We acknowledge the milestone revolution in the health sector, with the rehabilitation of dilapidated structures, construction of new ones and upgrades, all pointing to a genuine commitment to effective healthcare delivery.”
Earlier in his remarks at each media house, the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Yakubu Ahmed BK, presented an overview of the administration’s achievements across all sectors and their direct impact on the people of Kebbi State.
In response, the Chief Executives unanimously assured the delegation of their sustained partnership and support toward the continued success of the Comrade Governor Nasir Idris administration.
Sadaukin Zuru, is a Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to the Kebbi State Governor.
