THE Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, in collaboration with Nadeem Media Consults, has organised a one-day roundtable discussion with editors, focusing on the evolving political landscape in Kano State and the role of the media in promoting unity, peace and development.
News Point Nigeria reports that the event, held in Kano, brought together editors from various print, broadcast and online media organisations across the state.
Presiding over the roundtable, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, declared that the defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was in the best interest of the state’s unity, peace and overall progress.
According to the commissioner, the recent political realignments in Kano State have charted a new course in the state’s political dispensation and Nigeria’s democratic journey as a whole.
“The defection of the governor to the APC is not about personal ambition or party politics alone. It is about ensuring unity, peace and sustainable development for Kano State,” Waiya said.
Waiya emphasised the critical role of editors in shaping public opinion and guiding democratic discourse, noting that editors, as gatekeepers of information, determine what goes into the public domain.
He urged media leaders to partner with the Kano State Government in its ongoing efforts to transform the state through the execution of people-oriented development projects.
“As editors who decide what goes in and out of the news, you have a vital role to play in supporting the government’s development agenda. Constructive engagement with the media will help drive positive change and deepen democracy,” he stated.
The commissioner also highlighted the state government’s 2026 fiscal budget, which he described as a landmark budget of over ₦1 trillion aimed at transforming the lives of Kano residents.
He stressed that the budget was designed to address the needs of the people and not to serve the interest of any individual or political group.
“This is a budget for the people of Kano State. It is meant to improve infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic opportunities not to advance personal interests,” Waiya said.
According to him, peace remains the most critical requirement for development in Kano, stressing that the collective interest of the state must always supersede individual considerations, regardless of status or influence.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to media freedom, the commissioner assured journalists that the Kano State Government would continue to maintain a cordial and press-friendly relationship with the media.
He welcomed constructive criticism, noting that honest and balanced reporting would strengthen governance and serve the best interest of the people.
“We will continue to welcome constructive criticism that is fair, factual and aimed at improving governance. A responsible press is a partner in progress,” he added.
In his presentation, a resource person, Professor Sule Ya’u Sule, called on editors to uphold professionalism and public interest in news judgment.
He urged editors, as gatekeepers, to ensure that stories published or broadcast are in the best interest of their target audience and contribute to social stability.
Another resource person, Dr Muntari Magaji, stressed the importance of effective synergy between reporters and editors, particularly in editorial decision-making.
According to him, strong collaboration between reporters in the field and editors at the newsroom desk is essential for accuracy, balance and credibility in journalism.
The roundtable discussion concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants engaged the resource persons on issues bordering on media ethics, political reporting and the role of the press in democratic consolidation.
