Kano Commissioner Waiya Wins National Spokespersons Award for Crisis Communication

The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has emerged winner in the Crisis Communication category at the prestigious National Spokespersons Awards 2026, organized by Image Merchant Promotion Limited in Abuja.

Speaking to journalists shortly after receiving the award, Waiya expressed gratitude to the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, dedicating the honor to him. “I won this award courtesy of his contribution. This is the first time someone from the North West has won this category, and I am delighted,” he said.

Despite not coming from a traditional media background, Waiya highlighted how his experience in civil society advocacy and communication strategies helped him excel in crisis management.

He explained that his approach involved strategic engagement with citizens, navigating the media ecosystem, and building strong relationships with stakeholders and practitioners across the state.

 

He noted that the award reflects the enabling environment created by Governor Yusuf, noting: “This is a testament that Kano State has an inclusive governor who ensures every sector receives attention and consideration. Without his support, we would not have attained this height.”Government

 

Waiya described the recognition as a milestone for Kano, adding that it validates the administration’s commitment to effective governance and communication. “I dedicated this award to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as my mentor in politics, my principal, and the governor of Kano State. I uphold the confidence he has reposed in me,” he explained.

Kano Info Commissioner, Ibrahim Waiya, receives plaque from former NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo, as Awards Convener, Yusha’u Shuaibu, looks onAfricans & Diaspora

Delivering a keynote address at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, urged Nigerians to embrace effective and strategic communication skills in the fight against corruption.

He stressed that corruption is a pervasive global challenge, not confined to Nigeria, and requires innovative approaches to tackle.

In her remarks, the Chairperson of the Jurists Committee for the sixth edition of the National Spokespersons Awards, Professor Saudat Abdulbakiy, a communication scholar from the University of Ilorin, stated that the event goes beyond award presentations.

She described it as a platform for identifying and celebrating outstanding communicators who uphold ethics, professionalism, and credibility.

Professor Abdulbakiy disclosed that 171 individuals and corporate organizations were nominated, but only 19 entries qualified after meeting rigorous tests and basic requirements.

“Following a final review by the jurists, 15 winners emerged across different categories.”

She explained that the committee relied on the credibility, originality, and audience reach of each entry in determining the winners.

Urging the awardees to see the recognition as a call to greater service, she said: “This should not be seen as the end of the journey, but as motivation to do more in serving humanity.”

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the founder of the National Spokespersons Awards and Chief Executive Officer of Image Merchant Promotion Limited, Yusha’u Shuaibu, described this year’s edition as special, noting that it featured the unveiling of a new book titled “AI Crisis Communication in Nigeria.” He lauded all participants, awardees, and jurists for their contributions in making the event a success.Africans & Diaspora

In a vote of thanks, the Chairman of the 6th National Spokespersons Awards, Professor Sule Ya’u Sule, commended the participants and winners, stressing that the awardees had passed through rigorous tests and stages to authenticate their work.

He highlighted the achievements of the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, who won the Crisis Communication Award. Professor Sule noted that Waiya has introduced a series of reforms in the media and information sector of Kano State.

According to him, Comrade Waiya has consistently supported journalists through capacity-building initiatives, provision of smartphones, and other reforms aimed at strengthening the communication landscape in the state. “He has demonstrated his ability in crisis communication and has brought meaningful reforms to the sector,” Professor Sule remarked.

Name of Awardees and Categories  

– Author Scholar of the Year : Winner: Celestine Achi

– Crisis Communicator : Winner: Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya

– Crisis Communication Hub : Winner: NITDA Crisis Manager

– Digital Communication : Winner: Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi

– Employee Relations : Winner: Office of the Accountant General of the Federation

– Event Management : Winner: NIPR Kaduna Centre

– Knowledge Hub Award: Winner: MAAUN

– Media Relationship Award : Winner: TETFUND – Abdulmumini Oniyangi

– PR Agency Award : Winner: Integrated Indigo

– Public Affairs : Winner: FRSC

– Spokesperson of the Year : Winner: Hakama Sidi Ali (CBN)

(Justice Watch News)

Kano Governor Yusuf Shortlisted for Africa's SANKOFA Award of Excellence in Infrastructural Development - By Abba Anwar

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf makes a list of potential Awardees across West African sub-region, observed and screened by an African association named Réseau des Jeunes du Sahel pour le Progrès, le Développement et la Démocratie (Network of Sahel Youth for Progress, Development and Democracy), on infrastructural development in their respective states. 

The top most Award from the association, called Sankofa Award of Excellence across various sectors, is given to people or leaders who excel in their respective areas of work or responsibilities. 

With the recent disclosure made by the Commissioner of Public Procurement, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Nura Ma'aji Sumaila, on the state of infrastructural development and payments of contracts in the state, the association included Kano to be part of the states across Nigeria and West African countries, screened for an Award of Excellence. 

Source close to the association reveals that, Governor Yusuf's achievements in the area of infrastructural development, could not be neglected and the Governor stands a better position to be seen and amplified across the globe. As a result of his commitment and service to humanity. 

Parts of the major reasons that informed the association's decision to include Governor Yusuf for Sankofa Award of Excellence for Infrastructural Development in West Africa is his genuine inclusion of infrastructures that are human centred, modern, location specified and standardization process and procedures. 

According to the source, the Screening Committee saddled with the responsibility of selecting qualified personalities across West Africa are in their final stage of releasing the result. Assuring that, under infrastructural development, Kano excels. Though not officially announced. 

When Governor Yusuf gets this Award, he will be the second person from Nigeria who bags the Award. Last year the Deputy Senate President Barau I Jibrin, PhD, CFR, got the SANKOFA Award for Legislative Excellence in Africa. Coincidentally, Governor Yusuf who is also from Kano state, would be the second Nigerian in this category. 

The President of the association Mr Fassoko Doumbia, from Mali, confirmed to my source that, from all indication, "Kano State Governor, from Nigeria, Mr Abba Kabir Yusuf is in the forefront of those screened for the Award."

With this recognition of excellence, the Award places Governor Yusuf to be one of the best Nigerian governors. And the best across West Africa on infrastructural development. One good thing about the Award is, it will as well serve as an engine oil for state commitment and unwavering service delivery. 

Mr Doumbia reveals further that "... it is amazing looking at the unmatched number of completed and ongoing projects as Kano has 799 completed projects and 709 projects at various stages of completion. It is encouraging to see that Governor Yusuf is executing over 1,508 developmental projects across all 44 LGAs."

What keeps hope and commitment alive are the transparent monitoring, evaluation and effective payment to contractors. Of which out of N928 Billion of the total contract sum, the state has already paid over N600 Billion, that’s 64.7% payment rate. 

Unlike in many states in Nigeria and West Africa. The association believes that Kano institutionalized transparency through the Ministry of Public Procurement, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation. 

 

The screening committee appreciated Kano’s strategic and balanced infrastructure spread, between urban and rural areas plus improved security. For urban renewal it has the sum of N169 Billion. While there are 5km roads in 38 LGAs with the sum of N118 Billion. They appreciated the rural infrastructure across 44 LGAs with the sum of N397 Billion for roads, education, healthcare, and social services. 

While under security infrastructure the total sum of N6.863 Billion for Neighborhood Security Watch offices in 36 LGAs. This assured deliberate, balanced development with value for money, quality delivery, and measurable impact on the lives of the people. All courtesy Governor Yusuf. 

It serves also as indices of how Governor Yusuf makes the list for such Award, that his infrastructures are signals for the delivery of landmark, human-centered projects as Kano completed tangible projects that directly improve lives of the citizenry, with 40 metropolitan roads, 44 PHCs, 120 schools, 5 water plants, with the ongoing Dan Agundi and Tal’udu flyovers at over 80% completion.

It has also been discovered that, Kano enjoys proven technical leadership and political will. Which glaringly displays the political will and technical competence required to drive massive infrastructure without corruption or delays. This is part of the major engagements being identified, which eventually resulted into the popular Sankofa Award of Excellence. 

Anwar writes from Kano 

Saturday, 25th July, 2026