The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has won the 2026 National Spokespersons Award for his role in crisis communication and public information management.
Waiya received the award at the National Spokespersons Awards held at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, on Thursday.
The award recognised his contribution to the communication of government policies and programmes, particularly during periods of public concern and uncertainty.
The Director of Special Duties in the Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, Sani Abba Yola, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
The Chairman of Image Merchants Promotions Limited, Prof. Sule Ya’u Sule, said Waiya was selected after a rigorous assessment.
Sule, who is also an organising partner of the awards, said the commissioner had demonstrated commitment to timely and responsible public communication.
“The recognition highlights the critical role of effective crisis communication in promoting public understanding, strengthening government-citizens relations and building confidence and trust in government policies and programmes,” he said.
Waiya thanked the organisers for recognising his contribution to crisis communication and public information dissemination.
The commissioner dedicated the award to the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, the staff of the ministry and the media community in the state.
He said the recognition would encourage him and the ministry to intensify efforts to provide accurate and credible information to the people.
Waiya stressed that effective crisis communication required professionalism, transparency and accuracy.
He said, “The timely dissemination of accurate and credible information remains essential to good governance, particularly during periods of crisis and public concern.”
The commissioner also pledged that the ministry would continue working to bridge the communication gap between the government and citizens.
He said the ministry would ensure that residents were adequately informed about government policies, programmes and activities.
Members of the Kano State House of Assembly, media professionals and officials of the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs attended the ceremony.
The delegation included the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Sa’ad Aminu Ungogo, and a member of the committee, Salisu Riruwai.
Representatives of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists and other media organisations were also present.
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