Nasarawa Governor’s Spokesman, Ali Abare, Wins National Excellence Award

By Auwal Ahmad

The Senior Special Assistant on Media to Abdullahi Sule, Mallam Ali Abare, has been honoured with an Award of Excellence for his contributions to public communication and his role in amplifying government activities in Nasarawa State.

The recognition was conferred by the Your Vote Is Your Voice Africa Initiative during a presentation ceremony held on Friday at the Press Centre, Government House, Lafia.

Presenting the award, the Chairman of the organisation, Babatunde Adebayo, said Abare emerged from a nationwide selection process that assessed competence, consistency and professional integrity among media practitioners.

According to Adebayo, the award is not only a personal recognition for Abare but also a reflection of the critical role of responsible journalism and effective communication in strengthening democratic governance.

“At a time when misinformation and divisive narratives are becoming more pronounced ahead of the 2027 general elections, professionals who remain committed to truth and national unity deserve to be celebrated,” he said.

The organisation, which focuses on voter education, civic engagement and youth participation in democracy, said it formally launched its Nigerian operations in January 2026 with a mission to promote credible and inclusive electoral processes across Africa.

Its officials also disclosed plans to deploy election observers to Nasarawa State in the 2027 general election cycle, as part of broader efforts to support transparency and counter negative perceptions about Nigeria’s democratic system.

They raised concerns over rising ethnic and religious tensions in parts of the country, urging media practitioners to use their platforms to foster unity and peaceful coexistence.

Members of the delegation commended Abare’s communication style, describing it as consistent, factual and impactful in helping citizens better understand government policies and programmes.

A seasoned journalist and development communication expert, Abare has built a reputation for covering governance, politics and social development issues over the years. His colleagues within the Lafia press circle described the honour as well deserved, noting his professionalism and balanced approach to public information.

Nigeria Customs, Stakeholders Drive Communication Strategies on Food Security at NPRW 2026

By Abdullahi Tukur, Birin Kebbi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), alongside key stakeholders, has continued to advance conversations on food security, policy communication, and strategic stakeholder engagement at the 2026 Nigerian Public Relations Week (NPRW) held in Kaduna.

The event, themed “Policy Making to Public Plate,” commenced on April 19, 2026, at the Brigadier General Abba Kyari Banquet Hall in Kaduna and was graced by the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima GCON, and the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sanni CON. The event also attracted communication professionals, policymakers, media practitioners, and public relations experts across the country to deliberate on contemporary issues shaping food inflation and security.

The service recorded a strong presence at the week-long engagement, with over 29 customs public relations officers participating, reflecting the service’s commitment to strengthening institutional communication, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and advancing professional excellence in public relations practice.

A major highlight of the event was a high-level panel session focused on the role of strategic communication in addressing food inflation and shaping public understanding of government interventions on food security.

Speaking during the panel session, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, underscored the centrality of communication to policy formulation and implementation, particularly in trade facilitation and border management.

Maiwada asserted that, “Even at the implementation stage of any policy, communication is critical,” he said. “Without clearly communicating these policies to the public, they may not achieve the desired impact. People are more inclined to support policies when they are aware of how they impact them.

He further noted that effective communication remains essential for building trust, shaping perceptions, and ensuring that policy measures are understood and supported by the public, particularly in addressing complex issues such as food inflation and supply chain challenges.

Other panellists, including Pan-African Parliament Ambassador for Food Security, Ambassador Bryiyne Chitsunge, and communication expert Agnes Bassey, identified climate change and insecurity as major drivers of food inflation, stressing that weak communication around these realities often fuels public misunderstanding and misinformation.

The session also highlighted the need for accurate, data-driven, and solution-orientated media reporting, while calling for stronger collaboration between government institutions and the media to promote balanced narratives on food security and national development.

As part of the event’s activities, the National Public Relations Officer hosted a dinner for public relations officers at the B.A. Adeniyi Officers’ Mess in Kaduna, which provides officers with an opportunity to unwind and strengthen camaraderie outside formal conference sessions.

The dinner was attended by the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Zone B Headquarters, ACG Nsika Umoh, and the Comptroller of the Kaduna Customs Area Command, Comptroller Sa’ad Hassan, alongside officers participating in the conference.

In her remarks, ACG Umoh commended the unity and professional bond among officers in the Public Relations Unit, describing the atmosphere as inspiring and family-orientated.

Gov. Inuwa to NNDC: Reform Now or Fade Away, NSGF Chair Warns

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has called for urgent reforms at the New Nigeria Development Company, warning that the regional investment firm must reposition itself to address Northern Nigeria’s economic challenges or risk becoming irrelevant.

Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, who also chaired the Northern States Governors’ Forum, made the call at the end of a two-day retreat organised by NNDC’s board and management in Abuja.

Ismaila Uba Misilli, the Director-General of Press Affairs at the Government House in Gombe, issued a statement on Friday.

Represented by the Director-General of the NSGF, Ezekiel Gomos, the governor said NNDC remains too strategic to the region’s economic future to continue operating below its potential.

He pointed to rising unemployment, economic hardship, insecurity and declining investor confidence as key challenges requiring immediate and coordinated action.

“The era of talk must give way to action,” he said, urging the company’s leadership to adopt reforms driven by efficiency, innovation and accountability.

Alhaji Yahaya said NNDC must rediscover its founding purpose as a catalyst for economic development in Northern Nigeria, rather than functioning as what he described as a passive legacy institution.

He added that shareholders expect commercially viable investments, growth-orientated strategies and improved returns, not internal disputes or recurring dependence on intervention funds.

The governor also urged the company to take advantage of opportunities in the digital economy, including information and financial technology and innovation-driven enterprises.

He noted that millions of young people across the region possess untapped entrepreneurial potential, warning that failure to invest in technology-driven sectors would mean missing a critical opportunity for long-term growth.

Alhaji Yahaya further called for a “hard-nosed” reassessment of NNDC’s structure and operations, saying options such as restructuring, strategic partnerships, repositioning or divestiture should be considered where necessary.

He linked economic performance to regional stability, arguing that insecurity cannot be effectively addressed without job creation and inclusive economic expansion.

“NNDC must evolve into a profit-driven institution capable of creating jobs, boosting productivity and restoring hope,” he said.

Other speakers at the retreat included Tanimu Yakubu, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a former Group Managing Director of NNDC and ex-Chief Executive Officer of FSB International Bank.

Chairing a session on sustaining the vision of NNDC’s founders, Hayatu-Deen said difficult but necessary decisions would be required to reposition the company for future relevance.