Governor Yusuf upholds press freedom, welfare, says spokesperson
By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano
Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development across all sectors to improve the quality of life and enhance human endeavour across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state.
The Governor remarked while receiving multiple awards of excellence from various local and international organisations during the 33rd Executive Council Meeting held at the Government House, Kano.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Monday.
Governor Yusuf expressed deep appreciation to the organisations for recognizing his administration’s efforts in transforming education, healthcare, and infrastructure development across the state. He reiterated that his government will sustain all people-oriented projects and ensure their timely and qualitative completion.
“Our focus remains on delivering impactful projects that touch the lives of our people positively. We shall continue to pursue programmes that promote inclusiveness, accountability, and sustainable growth,” Governor Yusuf stated.
During the Council meeting, Governor Yusuf received an Award of Excellence from the Nigerian Public Service Secretariat and Reportorial Data Processing and Allied Matters, presented on their behalf by the Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa.
He also received another Award for Anti-Corruption Crusade, presented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Tajuddeen Othman, on behalf of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
Additionally, the Zamfara Community Residents in Kano honoured Governor Yusuf with an Outstanding Performance Award for making Kano peaceful and conducive for all residents. The award was presented by Engr. Rabiu Maradin.
The Governor further received an Appreciation for Excellent Performance in the 2025 Policy Performance Rating on climate change from the British FCDO and Friends of Commonwealth Development in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment. Under his leadership, Kano State rose from 34th in 2024 to 4th position nationwide in 2025.
The award was received on his behalf by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Dahiru Hashim.
Governor Yusuf was also recognised with an Outstanding Performance in Sports Development Award by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), presented by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, who initially received the award on his behalf at the national stadium in Abuja on Friday.
The Independent Newspaper honoured him with a Basic Education Ambassador Award, presented by the Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi Wayya, who was represented in the company of Malam Haladu Muhammed, Technical Adviser to the Governor on Education Reform, at the event in Lagos.
In the health sector, the International Society of Media in Public Health presented him with an Outstanding Performance Award, delivered by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran.
On the international stage, Governor Yusuf received the Highest Gold Medal from the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, in recognition of the student exchange initiative between Kano State and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
Also, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, commended Governor Yusuf’s transformational leadership through a letter of appreciation read before the Council by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim.
The Governor also received a letter of appreciation from a Kano-born French researcher, Dr. Mahmoud Kabir, for the state support he enjoys for a global app developed.
The Governor was further presented with two trophies by the Commissioner for Sports, Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, won by Kano athletes in the Nigerian Basketball Savannah League (Jos) and the Nigerian Amputee Football League (Abuja).
Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf offered condolences to the families of the late Durbin Kano, Alhaji Lawan Koguna, and the late Commander of the Anti-Phone Snatching Squad, Inuwa Sharada.
For Inuwa Sharad’s death, Governor Yusuf said the government awaits the official autopsy report before determining the appropriate next steps.
Governor Yusuf upholds press freedom, welfare, says spokesperson
The Director-General of Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, has assured that the state Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf will continue to uphold freedom of the press and ensure the welfare of working journalists in the state.
Speaking during a Tea Break session organized by the Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano chapter, Bature dismissed insinuations that journalists are being gagged or harassed under Governor Yusuf’s administration, insisting that Governor Yusuf has continued to give journalists adequate freedom to perform their constitutional responsibilities as members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
He further denied allegations from the opposition that the state government is using police and the court to threaten journalists, maintaining that, “at no point in time has Kano state government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration, used police or the court of law to harass or threaten any journalist who is performing his duties within the ambit of the law and ethics of the profession.”
Bature, who is also the spokesperson to Governor Yusuf, regretted that some organizations outside the state are jumping to conclusions, “after being fed with falsehood and misinformation concocted by elements of the opposition who are hell-bent on blackmailing Governor Yusuf’s administration through deliberate distortion of facts.”
He further stated that Governor Yusuf continues to ensure the welfare of journalists in the state through the provision of seasonal relief materials and capacity-building initiatives.
According to Bature, “Governor Yusuf runs an open-door policy, which encourages cordial relationships and engagements with journalists who we see as partners in progress. We do not discourage constructive criticisms because through that way, the government stands on its feet and improves upon its achievements and progress.”
Bature revealed that Governor Yusuf’s administration has expressed a commitment to investing in capacity-building initiatives for journalists, exploring partnerships with institutions like the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and other Foundations to provide training and professional development opportunities for working journalists in the state.
- “It is also on record that in recognition of his support and transparent governance, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) national body, honored Governor Yusuf with the ‘Journalist-Friendly Governor’ award in June 2025.
“More so, the immediate-past National President of NUJ, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, decorated Governor Yusuf as the Grand Patron of the NUJ Kano State Chapter. Comrade Chris was personally in Kano for the investiture of the Governor,” Bature added.
He further stated that Governor Yusuf’s administration emphasizes an open-door policy, ensuring access to government information and officials to enable journalists to perform their duties effectively and promote transparency and accountability.
Bature, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, commended working journalists in the state for professional reportage of government activities and assured that Governor Yusuf’s administration will continue to do everything within the law to uphold the freedom and welfare of journalists working in Kano.
He, however, urged journalists to keep maintaining the code of ethics of the profession and view the government not as an enemy, but as a vehicle through which democratic dividends are pushed to the masses.
In his remarks, the chairman of Kano state NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Murtala Adewale, commended Bature for joining in the second special edition of the Tea Break session.
Adewale said the idea behind the Tea Break is to relax and share ideas. This is not only a social gathering, but also a platform for politicians and corporate organizations to chat and share ideas with journalists.”
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