Nigerian InsgiInstitute of Public Relations (NiPR),has awarded Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa State with an Award for Execllence in Food Security and confered him with an honour of Patron of the Institute.
In his remarks before the investiture, the President and Chairman of the Council of the Institute, Dr Ike Neliaku, saissaid the decision for the award was conceived a year ago at the Institute’s Diamond anniversary.
Neliaku said that the Institute conducted an indepth investigation on Namadi’s effort in food security to ensure awarding the appropriate person and the council decided.
The President however, commended Namadi’s giant strides when the members of the Institute were toured to rice and wheat plantations around the state before the investiture.
According to Neliaku, “The council is amazed with the not only Namadi’s agricultural investments and transformation, but also a cordial relationship between government and farmers as well as other citizens of the state.”
The President then announced the establishment of an Agricultural communications Centre in one Jigawa Universities and an Award, titled “Namadi Award for The Best graduating student of Mass Communications from Khadija University in Majia.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the chief host of the event, The State ComCommissioner for Information, Youth and Sports, Mr Sagir Musa commended the council for the recognition.
Also an Associate member of the Institute, Mr Musa said the award will be held close to the heart by the government and people of the state.
Responding after the investiture, Namadi expressed gratitude for the honour to be identified as a Patron of the esteemed Institute and to receive the Diamond Prize of Excellence in Food Security.
Namadi said, “the recognition goes beyond me as the Executive Governor of Jigawa State yet it is a testimony of the hard work, resilience, dedication, commitment and contributions of all those we have worked together with to record our success stories.
“This is including our dedicated farmers, civil servants, development partners, and good citizens of Jigawa State,” the Governor said.
He stressed that one of the administration’s strategic development objectives is ensuring sustained agricultural transformation, to accelerate the growth of the State Economy and provide sustainable means of livelihoods for the people.
Namadi stressed that Jigawa’s sustained support and initiatives in the implementation of our Agricultural Transformation Agenda, has firmly placed it as a leading producer of some major food and cash crops in Nigeria.
These he said, include wheat, rice, sesame and hibiscus among others, in addition to being placed as a major contributor to national food security and the diversification of the national economy.
Furthermore, Namadi said his administration’s strong determination and commitment to the attainment of food security, has drawn a lot of inspirations from the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“As we remain focus on our journey to Greater Jigawa, assure the NIPR that this award would serve as a morale booster to provide additional impetus, in propelling us towards achieving food security for Jigawa State and Nigeria.
The investiture for Gov. Umar Namadi was performed by the Registrar and Council members of the NIPR.
By Aisha Ahmed
Dutse
