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Waiya Named Finalist in 2026 National Spokespersons Awards

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The state commissioner for information comrade Ibrahim Waiya addressing the Youth

 

The Kano State Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has been named among the three finalists for the Crisis Communicator category of the 2026 National Spokespersons Awards. His inclusion was confirmed in a letter dated June 22, 2026, signed by Segun Mcmedal, Chairman of the Planning Committee of the National Spokespersons Awards.

According to the letter, “I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected as finalist in the Crisis Communicator category of the National Spokespersons Awards (NS Awards).” The NS Awards, organized by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PR Nigeria and Spokespersons Digest, is widely regarded as Nigeria’s premier platform recognizing excellence, integrity, and impact in public communication.

PR Nigeria reported that Professor Saudat Abdulbaqi, Chairman of the Jury for the 2026 NS Awards, announced the finalists after the completion of the first and second phases of assessment. The process produced 42 finalists across 16 categories, making this year’s edition one of the most competitive since the awards were established.

The awards, jointly organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Spokespersons Digest, celebrate excellence in strategic communication, public engagement, and reputation management across both public and private sectors. The Jury, comprising academics, PR practitioners, journalists, and publishers, emphasized fairness and transparency in the selection process.

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Professor Abdulbaqi explained that after an initial eligibility screening, 91 entries met the required standards of clarity of objectives, demonstrable impact, and verifiable evidence. These were then subjected to a more intensive evaluation based on four criteria: impact, innovation and originality, reach, and quality of evidence submitted.

Following the rigorous assessment, three finalists emerged in the Crisis Communicator category: Lere Olayinka of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Dan Nwomeh of the Enugu State Government, and Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya of Kano State.

The recognition adds to the growing list of awards received by Comrade Waiya, who is currently serving his second year as Kano State’s Information Commissioner. He has previously been honored by professional and media-related organizations such as the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Society of Broadcasters (NSB), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON).

The 2026 National Spokespersons Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in August, where winners across all categories will be unveiled. Organizers say the event will highlight the growing sophistication of Nigeria’s communication ecosystem and honor individuals and institutions that demonstrate excellence in crisis response, media relations, digital engagement, and stakeholder management.

 

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Mahanga TV appoints former AREWA24 staff Zuwairiyah Girei as MD

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Mahanga TV, a Kano-based television station, has appointed former AREWA24 staff member Zuwairiyah Adamu Girei as its new Managing Director, bringing her more than 14 years of experience in Hausa-language television production and broadcasting to the organisation.

Girei was formally welcomed into her new role during a reception held at Mahanga TV’s premises in Kano on Monday, November 2, 2026, marking a new phase in the organisation’s growthe barely three months after its launch.

Speaking at the reception, Girei expressed excitement over her appointment, describing her experience at AREWA24 as a significant milestone in her professional journey.

She said she would draw on the knowledge and experience acquired during her time at the television station to strengthen Mahanga TV and drive it towards greater achievements.

“All the experience I have at AREWA24, I will bring here, and I think I will do extraordinary because I know what I have learnt there. I pray that we will see success beyond our expectations,” she said.

Outlining her vision for Mahanga TV, the new Managing Director said the organisation would look beyond Northern Nigeria and target audiences across Africa and the rest of the world.

She identified the large Hausa-speaking population as a major opportunity for the industry, noting that despite the challenges facing Hausa-language broadcasting, the sector has a substantial audience.

“We have over 60 million Hausa speakers in Nigeria, so I think we have a target audience we have to try to reach,” she said.

Girei said her leadership would focus on understanding audience expectations, introducing improvements and positioning Hausa productions for international recognition.

“Our thinking is pan-African; our thinking is the world. Our thinking is now how can Hausa film reach the Oscars. That is the thinking,” she said.

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Looking ahead to the next decade, she expressed her ambition to see Mahanga TV secure three to four Academy Awards, earn international recognition and become a household name among viewers across different age groups.

She said she envisioned a future where Mahanga TV would be the preferred television platform in homes, with both adults and children identifying with its programmes.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mahanga TV, Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, said Girei’s appointment was informed by the organisation’s rapid growth and the need for experienced leadership to sustain its progress.

Balarabe explained that he initially served as both Managing Director and CEO but decided to appoint a dedicated Managing Director to oversee the organisation’s daily operations and provide the leadership required to sustain its expanding activities.

He said the organisation needed someone who could provide consistent leadership and maintain its momentum as it continued to grow.

“She is well experienced, and I’m sure she will use that experience to take the organisation further from where it is,” he said.

Balarabe disclosed that Mahanga TV had recorded progress beyond its initial expectations within three months of launching, attributing the achievement to the dedication of its staff, consultants and advisers.

He said the organisation was expanding its content offerings through original productions and partnerships with independent producers to provide audiences with engaging programmes.

He also urged viewers to continue supporting the station and sharing feedback through its social media platforms and WhatsApp channel, assuring them that the organisation remained open to suggestions as it worked to improve its services.

Reaffirming the organisation’s broader ambition, Balarabe said Mahanga TV was committed to ensuring that Hausa stories, culture and experiences reached audiences across the world.

“We have a beautiful tale happening in Northern Nigeria, and I believe it is only we that can tell our own story. We want to make sure all our stories are told and they reach every part of the world,” he said.

Also speaking, Mahanga TV’s Creative Director and Brand Manager, Abdulbasit Abanikanda, described Girei’s appointment as a timely development that would strengthen the organisation’s management structure and provide better direction for its expanding workforce.

Abanikanda recalled that Mahanga TV started with a team of just three people but had since grown considerably, making the appointment of an experienced manager necessary to coordinate its activities.

He expressed confidence in Girei’s ability to advance the station’s creative vision, noting that her ambition of taking Hausa stories to audiences across the world aligned with the organisation’s objectives.

With Girei’s appointment, Mahanga TV aims to consolidate its early progress, strengthen its content production and expand the reach of Hausa storytelling, creating opportunities for Northern Nigeria’s stories, culture and creative talent to gain wider national and international recognition.

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Kano Governor Nominates Ex- Speaker, Spokesperson as Commissioners

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has nominated his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Balarabe Sa’idu Gani, for appointment as commissioners.

The governor has forwarded their names to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Assembly is expected to screen the nominees on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, said the legislature had received a formal communication from Governor Yusuf requesting the screening of the two nominees.

He added that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Gani served as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, while Bature currently serves as the governor’s spokesperson.

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2027: Rep Abubakar Kabir Bichi holds strategic meeting with Kano lawmakers

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The Chairman, House of representatives committee on appropriations Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has convened a meeting of all APC State Assembly Members and 40 Candidates in the upcoming 2027 General elections, led by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore.

Crucial issues were discussed on how best to coordinate their campaigns programs to deliver the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

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The meeting was held at his Bichi office, Sunday evening 1st November 2026.

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