Governor Malam Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has received the prestigious Diamond Prize Award of Excellence in Food Security from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). The historic award, the first of its kind in the country, was presented at a ceremony held at the Ahmadu Bello Hall, State Secretariat in Dutse. During the event, the governor was also officially invested as a patron of the NIPR, joining an elite group of individuals recognized for their outstanding contributions to national development.
In his remarks, Dr. Ike Neliaku, the National President of NIPR, described Governor Namadi as “an honest, upright, incorruptible, and hardworking leader” whose achievements in agriculture and governance stand out. He noted that the award resulted from a meticulous evaluation of the governor’s accomplishments since assuming office, particularly in the agricultural sector.
“We are here to give honor to whom honor is due,” Dr. Neliaku said. “Governor Namadi has demonstrated exceptional commitment to food security, governance, and nation-building. He is a beacon of hope and a model of effective leadership.”
Dr. Neliaku also announced plans to establish a NIPR Umar Namadi Prize for the best graduating student in Mass Communications and an Umar Namadi Centre of Excellence in Development and Agricultural Communication at tertiary institutions in Jigawa State in honor of the governor.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Namadi expressed gratitude for the recognition, dedicating the award to the people of Jigawa State, particularly its farmers, civil servants, and development partners. He described the award as a reflection of the collective efforts of the state in achieving significant milestones in agricultural transformation.
“This recognition goes beyond me as the executive governor of Jigawa State. It is a testament to the hard work, resilience, dedication, and commitment of all those we have worked with to record our success stories, including our dedicated farmers, civil servants, development partners, and good citizens of Jigawa State,” he said.
Governor Namadi emphasized that food security is a strategic priority under his administration’s 12-Point Agenda, aligning with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Initiative under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He noted that the initiative has inspired many of Jigawa’s agricultural policies, particularly the successful Wheat Development Program.
“Food security is not merely a political slogan. It is a strategic development objective that perfectly aligns with our constitutional duty of ensuring the security and welfare of the citizens. It also conforms with our commitment to achieving the First Sustainable Development Goal concerned with ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture,” the governor stated.
The governor’s achievements in agriculture include significant investments in irrigation infrastructure, the mechanization of farming, support for farmers through subsidized inputs and training, agro-processing development, and livestock production. He also announced plans to establish an Agricultural Transformation Agency in 2025 to further accelerate agricultural development in the state.
As a newly invested patron of the NIPR, Governor Namadi underscored the importance of public relations in governance and national development. He urged NIPR members to continue using their expertise to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria.
“Our quest to project Nigeria’s image and keep the world informed of our conducive business environment and investment climate in order to attract foreign direct investment into the country would not be effective without the contributions of NIPR. As a patron of the Institute, I would therefore urge members to continue to explore pathways through which the Institute could effectively play its roles and contribute to the unity, progress, growth, and development of our nation,” he said.
The ceremony highlighted Governor Namadi’s dedication to food security and governance, earning him national recognition and setting a benchmark for leadership excellence in Nigeria.
