Leadership Newspaper Commends Gov. Idris’ Pension Reforms, Infrastructure Drive, Pledges Stronger Partnership
By Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto 
The Group Managing Director of Leadership Newspaper Group, Muazu Elazeh, has commended Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, for his commitment to the prompt payment of pensions and gratuities, as well as his remarkable investments in infrastructure, describing the achievements as a demonstration of people-oriented leadership.
He gave the commendation on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving the Kebbi State Government media team, led by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi, during a courtesy visit to the Leadership Newspaper headquarters.
Elazeh said Leadership, an award-winning newspaper with the motto, “For God and Country,” remains committed to promoting initiatives that advance national development.
He noted that the newspaper was impressed by Governor Idris’ record of prioritising retirees’ welfare through the prompt payment of pensions and gratuities, attributing the achievement to the Governor’s background as a former labour leader. He also praised the administration’s sustained investment in infrastructure, stressing that human capital development and the provision of critical infrastructure remain fundamental responsibilities of government.
“We are keenly following the Governor’s efforts in promoting the welfare of retirees through the prompt payment of pensions and gratuities, as well as ensuring the timely payment of workers’ salaries. Perhaps this is because of his background as a former labour leader,” he said.
The Leadership GMD assured the Kebbi delegation of the organisation’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the state government through balanced and effective publicity of its programmes and achievements.
He encouraged the media team to continue telling Kebbi’s development story, noting that no state should expect recognition if it fails to project its successes. He added that Leadership would support the state in showcasing its developmental strides across its various media platforms.
Elazeh further proposed a mutually beneficial partnership between Leadership Newspaper and the Kebbi State Government, explaining that several state governments currently utilise dedicated pages in the newspaper to communicate their activities and achievements to Nigerians.
He expressed optimism that Kebbi State would also take advantage of such opportunities while assuring the delegation of his personal commitment to strengthening the cordial relationship between both institutions.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi, expressed appreciation for the longstanding relationship between Leadership Newspaper and the people of Kebbi State.
He said the advocacy visit formed part of a nationwide engagement by the Governor’s media team aimed at expanding collaboration with strategic media organisations to enhance public awareness of the achievements of Governor Nasir Idris’ administration.
The Commissioner explained that since assuming office, Governor Idris had transformed Kebbi State through massive investments in roads, education, healthcare, civil service welfare and other critical sectors.
He observed that the state, once regarded as one of the least developed in the country due to inadequate infrastructure, had witnessed remarkable progress, with the Governor fulfilling the overwhelming majority of his campaign promises within just three years in office.
On security, Birnin Kebbi said the Governor had continued to provide logistics, welfare and operational support to security agencies, resulting in significant improvements compared to the security situation inherited by the administration.
He also dismissed recent misleading narratives about the emergence of a so-called terrorist group, “Sai Malam,” in the state, explaining that investigations by security agencies established that those arrested were cybercrime suspects rather than terrorists.
He called on media organisations to verify security-related reports before publication to avoid amplifying falsehoods capable of undermining public confidence.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Kebbi State Government’s commitment to transparency and constructive engagement with the media, expressing confidence that stronger collaboration with Leadership Newspaper would further project the state’s achievements in governance and development.
Members of the Kebbi State media team on the visit included the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Yahaya Sarki; the Special Adviser on Communications Strategy, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris Zuru; the Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment and Orientation, Alhaji Ibrahim A. Jombali; the Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Ahmed Idris; and the Special Adviser on New Media, Alhaji Aliyu Bandado.
Signed
Yahaya Sarki
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Kebbi State Governor
