In furtherance of his valuable support for the media practitioners in the country, Comrade Governor Nasir Idris has approved the hosting of Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum’s annual summit by the Kebbi State government.
This is coming two months after he hosted the National Executive Committee(NEC) meeting of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) .
The Governor gave the approval in response to the request made by the Forum’s Executive Committee members led by the Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Yelwa (Ajiyan Yauri), during a courtesy visit on the Governor at the Kebbi Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, on Thursday.
He said the decision to approve the summit was informed by his strong belief that the media as the fourth estate of the realm, unarguably remains a major stakeholder in the development and sustainance of democracy globally.
Governor Idris emphasised that it was his conviction of the patriotic service of the media in the socio-economic and political development of the country that made him to, few months ago host the National Executive Council meeting of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) .
The Comrade Governor noted that the successes being achieved and impact made by a democratically constituted government can only be justified or otherwise by the reportage and analysis of the situation at all levels.
On the secret of his administration’s successes, he declared that judicious utilisation of resources, transparency and accountability in governance, consultation with relevant stakeholders, and prioritising developmental programmes and projects were responsible for the moderate achievements recorded so far.
He further explained that critical sectors of education, agriculture, health care delivery, infrastructure, and economic empowerment were being given deserved attention with positive results.
The Governor used the occasion to disclose that an improved comprehensive economic empowerment programme in different economic sectors that will increase the number of beneficiaries was being put in place for launching during the second year anniversary celebration next month.
Comrade Governor Kauran Gwandu commended the working journalists and media organisations in Kebbi state for consistency in public enlightenment on his administration’s giant strides through adequate publicity, which attracted the attention of the public to the state.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Forum Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Yelwa has told the governor that the courtesy visit was encouraged by the much talked about and reported developmental successes being achieved by kebbi state government under his leadership.
“Your Excellency, it is against this background that we hereby humbly request for the inclusion of our National summit in the programme for celebrating your impactful second year in office “
He noted that if the request is considered, it will afford the members of the forum the opportunity to showcase the unprecedented development achieved through their respective radio and television stations as well as many public enlightenment on national network programmes being produced by other sister radio stations in other parts of the country.
He informed the comrade Governor that the forum is made up of proprietors of over 100 National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) licensed Radio and Television stations in the north, Nigerian Bureau- Chiefs of international Radio and Television stations, veteran columnist and acknowledged public affairs analysts.
At the courtesy visit were the Speaker of the State House of Assembly Honourable Muhammad Usman Ankwe, the Secretary to the State government Alhaji Yakubu Bala Tafida and the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris Saudakin Zuru.
