DG NTA Commends Kebbi’s Dev’t, Seeks Stronger Partnership to Combat Fake News
By Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
The Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Comrade Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, has commended the developmental strides recorded by the Kebbi State Government under the leadership of Governor Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, assuring that the national broadcaster is closely monitoring the state’s remarkable progress.
Dembos made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving the Kebbi State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi, who led the Governor’s media aides on a courtesy visit to the NTA headquarters.
He described the NTA as a critical national institution with an extensive reach across the country, stressing that the existing relationship between the station and the Kebbi State Government should be strengthened to ensure that credible and factual information reaches Nigerians.
According to him, such collaboration has become even more necessary in view of the growing challenge of misinformation and the deliberate distortion of facts.
The NTA Director-General expressed concern over the increasing spread of false and misleading information, particularly on security-related issues, warning that irresponsible reporting and the circulation of fake news could undermine peace, national unity, and development.
He urged media professionals to uphold the ethics of journalism by verifying information before publication and avoiding narratives capable of creating unnecessary tension.
Dembos noted that the NTA had been following the progress of Kebbi State under Governor Nasir Idris with keen interest and was pleased that the administration had continued to fulfil the overwhelming majority of its campaign promises through people-oriented projects and policies.
He added that governments should be judged by their performance, while the media has a responsibility to objectively inform the public about genuine development.
He added that the engagements would further strengthen public confidence and help counter false narratives about the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi, said the visit formed part of an advocacy tour by the Kebbi State Government’s media team to strategic national media organisations aimed at deepening collaboration and enhancing the effective dissemination of information on government programmes and policies.
He appreciated the NTA for the professional support it has extended to the state government since the inauguration of the present administration.
The Commissioner explained that Governor Nasir Idris inherited enormous developmental challenges but had transformed the state through massive investments in road infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, and other critical sectors.
He said the administration had completed abandoned projects, employed thousands of teachers, constructed and rehabilitated schools, completed the state secretariat, established a modern central motor park, and created an enabling environment for local and foreign investment.
Birnin Kebbi also addressed recent misinformation targeting the state, particularly claims suggesting the emergence of a new terrorist group in Kebbi known as “Sai Malam.”
He clarified that security investigations conducted by relevant agencies, including the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), established that the individuals involved were cybercrime suspects engaged in online fraud and extortion rather than members of any new terrorist organisation.
He urged media organisations to verify sensitive security-related information before publication to avoid creating unnecessary panic among the public.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Kebbi State Government’s commitment to sustaining cordial relations with the NTA and other media organisations in promoting accurate information, transparency, and public enlightenment.
He thanked the NTA Director-General and the management of the organisation for the warm reception and expressed confidence that the strengthened partnership would further project the achievements of the Nasir Idris administration to national and international audiences.
Members of the Kebbi State Media Team led by the Hon Commissioner for Information and Culture, Hon Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi included the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Yahaya Sarki; the Special Adviser on Communications Strategy, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris Zuru.
Others were 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, Media and Publicity to the Governor of Kebbi State
30/6/2026
