Kano Govt Spent Over N200m Supporting Media, PR Practitioners — Gov Yusuf

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has disclosed that his administration spent more than N200 million supporting media and public relations practitioners in 2025, with an additional N150 million committed to welfare interventions in 2026.

The governor disclosed this when members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Kano State Chapter, paid a courtesy visit to the Government House as part of activities to create awareness ahead of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF).

Represented by his Director-General of Media and Publicity, Sunusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, Yusuf said the interventions covered mobility, working tools, accommodation, medical assistance and other forms of welfare support for practitioners.

He said his administration remained committed to strengthening professionalism in the media and public relations industry through training and retraining, particularly in areas relating to professional standards and ethical practice.

The governor urged the NIPR Kano State Chapter to submit a formal request for the allocation of land for the construction of a permanent secretariat for the institute.

According to him, the state government is also prepared to support the welfare and security of NIPR members and facilitate their participation in programmes aimed at improving professionalism.

Dawakin-Tofa said Governor Yusuf had confirmed Kano State’s full participation in the World Public Relations Forum scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026.

He said the administration would continue to support professional development and capacity-building initiatives for journalists and public relations practitioners.

The Director-General also assured media and PR professionals of the government’s commitment to their safety and welfare, alongside efforts to protect residents and visitors across the state.

He added that legitimate requests from professional bodies, including the NIPR, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Correspondents’ Chapel, would receive due consideration and be forwarded to the governor for necessary approval.

Dawakin-Tofa also announced plans to organise a Northwest Regional Media Security Summit at the Kano Government House, adding that the state government would sponsor the event.

Earlier, former NIPR President, Prof. Ya’u Sule Ya’u, said the roadshow was designed to raise awareness about the World Public Relations Forum and mobilise practitioners and members of the public ahead of the international gathering.

According to him, the forum will bring together public relations professionals from across the world in Abuja to discuss emerging trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the profession.

Ya’u said the 2026 forum would also provide an opportunity to revisit the internationally referenced definition of public relations adopted in Mexico City in 1978, taking into account the significant changes that have transformed the profession over the years.

The Kano State Chairman of NIPR, Aliyu Yusuf, thanked Governor Yusuf for receiving the delegation and for his administration’s support for the institute and its activities.