GOVERNOR Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has received the Blueprint Newspapers’ 2026 Efficient Public Resource Management and Transparency Award, with the state governor vowing to intensify his administration’s efforts to rescue and rebuild Zamfara.
News Point Nigeria reports that Lawal received the award on Tuesday at the 8th edition of Blueprint Newspapers’ Annual Public Lecture, Impact Series and Awards, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, where policymakers, security chiefs, political leaders, diplomats, civil society organisations, academics and other stakeholders gathered to deliberate on practical measures for ensuring peaceful, credible and transparent elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The theme of this year’s event was “Security Challenges and Integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections.”
Accepting the award, Governor Lawal expressed gratitude to the management of Blueprint Newspapers and vowed to do more in his administration’s efforts to rescue and rebuild Zamfara State.
He said, “This award is a testament that the media and Nigerians outside Zamfara are witnessing the efforts my government is putting in our quest to make Zamfara great.
“In the three years of my government, we have recorded so many successes in the areas of security, education, health, economy, human capital, infrastructure, among others. And all these were achieved because we run a transparent government.”
Blueprint Newspapers, in its citation, said Governor Lawal was recognised for his prudent management of public resources, fiscal accountability and efforts to promote transparent governance in Zamfara State.
The newspaper said the award emphasises responsible stewardship of public resources and the connection between fiscal discipline and inclusive development.
The Managing Director of Blueprint Newspapers Limited, Salisu Umar, said Governor Lawal “represents a blend of professional accomplishment and public service.”
According to him, the governor’s experience in diplomacy, banking and politics has equipped him with a broad understanding of governance, financial management and institutional leadership.
“As Governor of Zamfara State, he continues to pursue policies aimed at restoring stability, improving infrastructure, strengthening public institutions and creating opportunities for economic growth,” Umar said.
He added that “his government has focused on improving financial discipline, strengthening public sector accountability and ensuring that public resources are directed toward projects capable of producing measurable benefits for the people of Zamfara State.”
“He has consistently emphasised responsible budgeting, efficient service delivery and prudent management of state finances as essential foundations for long-term development,” the newspaper further stated in the governor’s citation.
The citation also noted that Lawal’s administration had supported initiatives aimed at improving security operations, protecting rural communities and creating conditions that encourage displaced residents to return to their homes and resume productive activities.
Governor Lawal, it added, has placed considerable emphasis on rebuilding public infrastructure across Zamfara State.
His government, according to the newspaper, has undertaken road rehabilitation and construction projects, improved public buildings and invested in infrastructure designed to stimulate commerce, improve transportation and enhance access to essential public services.
The projects, the citation stated, are intended to reconnect communities, facilitate economic activities and support balanced development across both urban and rural areas.
It added that Governor Lawal’s administration also recognises education as a critical tool for reducing poverty and creating opportunities for future generations, while pursuing reforms aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery throughout the state.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the security and information environment necessary for peaceful, credible and transparent elections in 2027.
The minister commended Blueprint Newspapers for sustaining the annual platform, describing it as an important avenue for policymakers, professionals, academics, the media and other stakeholders to engage on issues of national importance.
He said the theme of the event was timely, stressing that the integrity of elections was shaped not only on election day but also by the security environment, the credibility of institutions, the conduct of political actors, the professionalism of the media and the quality of information available to citizens.
“For the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the security and welfare of Nigerians remain fundamental responsibilities of government,” Idris said.
He added that the Federal Government would continue to mobilise the resources, personnel and technology required to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other threats to the safety of Nigerians.
The minister also highlighted the growing threat posed by misinformation and disinformation, particularly with the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence, which has made it increasingly possible to create convincing but fabricated audio, video and images.
“Democracy cannot thrive where citizens are deliberately misled,” Idris said.
He noted that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, in partnership with UNESCO and other stakeholders, had established the International Media and Information Literacy Institute, IMILI, in Abuja to strengthen media and information literacy.
The minister congratulated Blueprint Newspapers, the speakers and recipients of the Awards of Excellence, stressing that recognising outstanding contributions to national development would encourage continued commitment to public service and professional excellence.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria’s democratic institutions would continue to grow stronger, while reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to peace, stability, national unity and sustainable development.
The Chairman of the Occasion, former Governor of Zamfara State and Senator representing Zamfara West Senatorial District, Senator Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar, said insecurity should not be treated as the responsibility of security agencies alone.
Yari stressed that political leaders, communities, citizens and other stakeholders must all play their part in confronting the challenge.
Drawing from his experience in government, the former governor said insecurity had persisted across successive administrations and electoral cycles, warning against politicising the issue.
“The issue of insecurity is not something to be traded with for the purpose of winning the hearts of the citizens,” he said, urging Nigerians to collectively confront the challenge and work towards making the country safer for present and future generations.
The Royal Father of the Day, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar, CFR, the Etsu Nupe, who was represented by His Royal Highness Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu Oga Onawo, the Andoma of Doma, commended Blueprint Newspapers for its contribution to national discourse and called on Nigerians to remain committed to the unity and development of the country.
In his message, the Etsu Nupe stressed that Nigeria’s challenges should not diminish the nation’s enormous human and intellectual potential.
He declared that “there is no alternative to indivisible Nigeria,” urging Nigerians to take responsibility for building a stronger and more prosperous nation.
The Guest Speaker, Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), who was represented by Major General O.T. Akinjobi, said the changing security environment required a broader approach to election security ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He explained that election security could no longer be limited to protecting polling units and electoral materials, as emerging threats now include cyber interference, misinformation, disinformation and attempts to undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.
“Election security can no longer be viewed simply as protecting polling stations. It is fundamentally the protection of democratic legitimacy,” he said.
The defence minister called for intelligence-led security planning, stronger cybersecurity, inter-agency coordination, strategic communication and greater citizen participation.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, acknowledged the Governor of Zamfara State, whom she described as her older brother and a leader of their “wonderful party,” as well as her former colleague who is now a minister and other distinguished personalities.
She also recognised the former Governor of Niger State, whom she described as another “big brother” with whom she shares what she called a “DNA situation,” as well as ministers, the President, the representative of the FCT Minister and other “wonderful, industrious, robust, beautiful and highly accomplished personalities” gathered at the occasion.
Musawa craved the indulgence of the audience to depart from the officially adopted protocol and her planned remarks.
She first paid tribute to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, saying she had often told him that he had been able to walk the “very delicate tightrope” of serving as Minister of Information while at the same time not being antagonistic.
“I think that is a very, very unique ability,” she said.
The culture and tourism minister said Idris deserved special recognition for playing an important role in the storytelling of Nigeria.
She noted that Nigerians often misrepresent themselves and their country through the manner in which they tell the story of Nigeria as a beautiful nation.
Musawa also said the Information Minister had “hit the nail on the head” when he spoke about the issue of security.
According to her, internal security affects everyone, whether in government or outside government, and should therefore concern each and every Nigerian.
“Frankly, when we talk about the issue of security, I think the issue of internal security affects everyone. Whether you are in government or not, internal security concerns each and every one of us. It is something we must all take responsibility for,” she said.
She said President Bola Tinubu’s mission and vision of diversifying the economy and giving mainstream attention to industries such as culture, tourism and the digital economy was a very important and accurate approach.
According to Musawa, tourism might appear to be a soft sector, but it is also highly relevant to industry because every part of Nigeria has something to say and possesses its own expression, identity and story.
She stressed that tourism was important because developing culture and tourism in different areas would encourage young people to move around, engage with their communities and promote unity among themselves and among Nigerians.
The minister said such opportunities would enable young people who graduate from the system to become engaged in productive activities.
Because they would be engaged in the products and opportunities within their environments, she added, they would also have a greater stake in protecting those environments.
Musawa again stressed that insecurity was an issue that belonged to each and every Nigerian and could not be left entirely to government.
“We cannot leave everything to the government. We all have to take ownership and continue to ensure that we protect and strengthen the Nigerian economy,” she said.
“That is the vision and mission of our great country.”
The event was attended by the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal; Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu, represented by the Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economy, Hon. Bashar Umar Kwabo; Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, represented by his aide, Emmanuel Ogbeche; Governor of Enugu State, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ossai; and Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Barr. Zainab Jalingo.
Also in attendance were former Governor of Niger State, Senator Dr. Abubakar Sani Bello; former Governor of Bauchi State, Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar, SAN; the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu; Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga; National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda; Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace; Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, Nze Dili Ezughah; and Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, among other distinguished dignitaries.
