By Abbas Ibrahim
The Patriotic Volunteers for Good Governance, a group advocating good governance and responsible citizenship, has honoured six media practitioners in Kano State for their contributions to public-interest journalism and public enlightenment.
The award was presented at the group’s annual conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat, Farm Centre, Kano, on Sunday.
The recipients are Dr Habib Bello Galadanci, popularly known as Danbello, an independent social commentator, Ibrahim Ishaq Dan Uwa Rano, an online television journalist,Salamatu Sabo Bakin Zuwo of Express Radio Kano, Jaafar Jaafar of Daily Nigerian Online Newspape, Abbas Salisu Soron Dinki of Rahma Radio Kano,and Abubakar Murtala of Matashiya Radio-TV Online.
Speaking at the ceremony, the group’s Chairman, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, a former Secretary to the Kano State Government, said the awards recognised the journalists’ contributions to public enlightenment, awareness creation and the mobilisation of citizens on issues of public importance.
Alhaji said the recipients had used their various platforms to make information more accessible and encourage citizens to participate meaningfully in public affairs.
“We are not merely presenting an award, we are recognising journalists whose work has made knowledge more accessible, public participation more meaningful and communities more informed about issues that directly affect their lives,” he said.
He said through consistent and responsible reporting, the awardees had helped members of the public understand electoral processes, assess political candidates, follow campaign promises and participate in democratic activities with greater knowledge and confidence.
According to him, their contributions extended beyond politics and elections, as they had also drawn attention to issues affecting families, children, workers and vulnerable members of society.
Alhaji said the media practitioners had used their platforms to highlight challenges in education, healthcare and community development while bringing the concerns of ordinary citizens to the attention of government.
“They are also tools for the creation of awareness and mobilisation,” he said, describing the awardees as “mouthpieces of the community and the less privileged” in drawing attention to issues of significance.
He said the impact of journalism should not be measured merely by the number of stories produced or programmes presented, but by the positive influence such work had on society.
“What distinguishes our honourees is not simply the number of stories produced or programmes presented; it is the positive influence of their work,” Alhaji said.
He urged journalists to uphold accuracy, fairness, independence and public service, particularly at a time when misinformation, sensationalism and political divisions could mislead citizens.
“Let us report in ways that inform rather than inflame, unite rather than divide, and empower rather than mislead,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Associate Professor Sa’idu Ahmad Dukawa of the Department of Public Administration, Bayero University Kano, said democracy could not function effectively without active participation by citizens.
Dukawa said democracy was government based on the consent of the people and should therefore be responsive and responsible to citizens.
He identified voting, contributing to government policies, supporting legitimate government programmes, demanding accountability and offering constructive criticism as some of the ways citizens could participate in governance.
According to him, good governance should be regarded as the outcome of meaningful citizen participation in a democratic system.
Dukawa urged Nigerians to see the promotion of good governance as a collective responsibility and to contribute towards addressing practices that undermine the wellbeing of society.
Drawing on Islamic teachings, he cited Qur’an 4:75, which highlights the plight of oppressed men, women and children, and urged Nigerians to reflect on what they could do to alleviate suffering across the country.
“Let’s search ourselves to see what we can do to help our brothers in the North, East, South and West. Let’s support one another to build our nation,” he said.
He said efforts to reform society should begin with addressing practices and utterances that violate moral, religious and cultural values before moving to larger challenges such as corruption.
Professor Kamilu Sani Fagge of the Department of Political Science, Bayero University Kano, also spoke at the event, saying the recognition of journalists was important because of their role in enlightening the public and drawing the attention of leaders to issues of justice.
Fagge said the awards would encourage the recipients and motivate other journalists to make similar contributions to society.
He stressed that journalists had an important role to play in sustaining democracy by holding political leaders accountable.
“If we want our democracy to endure, then we must have journalists who play this kind of role, because through that they can keep our leaders in check,” Fagge said.
He added that journalists should use their platforms to draw attention to actions by public officials that went beyond the limits of their authority and demand accountability.
One of the recipients, Dr Habib Bello Galadanci, popularly known as Danbello, expressed appreciation for the recognition, saying it had strengthened his confidence in the work he had been doing for nearly four years.
Galadanci said the recognition was particularly encouraging because it showed that his work had been assessed and found to be making a positive contribution.
“It gives us more encouragement and also equips us with the tools to help young journalists who regularly come to us saying they want to do this kind of work and asking us to show them how,” he said.
He added that the recognition would give experienced practitioners greater confidence to mentor younger journalists and pass on their knowledge.
The organisers said the awards were intended to encourage ethical journalism, public enlightenment and greater media contribution to good governance and community development.