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The publisher of Daily Nigerian and Daily Nigerian Hausa, Jaafar Jaafar, has received an award for his contributions to public-interest journalism and public enlightenment.
Mr Jaafar was among six media practitioners honoured by the Patriotic Volunteers for Good Governance, a non-governmental organisation promoting good governance and responsible citizenship in Nigeria.
The awards were presented at the organisation’s annual conference held at the Kano secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, on Sunday.
Other recipients were Dr Habib Bello Galadanci, popularly known as Dan Bello; Ibrahim Ishaq Dan Uwa Rano; Salamatu Sabo Bakin Zuwo of Express Radio Kano; Abbas Salisu Soron Dinki of Rahma Radio Kano; and Abubakar Murtala of Matashiya Radio-TV Online.
Speaking at the event, the chairman of the organisation, Usman Alhaji, said the awards recognised the recipients’ contributions to public enlightenment and citizens’ participation in governance.
Mr Alhaji, a former Secretary to the Kano State Government, said the event was not merely about presenting awards but also recognising journalists whose work had made a positive impact on society.
“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.
“These journalists used their respective platforms to educate citizens on electoral processes, assess political candidates, scrutinise campaign promises and promote informed participation in democratic activities,” he said.
He added that the awardees had also highlighted issues affecting families, children, workers and other vulnerable groups beyond the political sphere.
According to him, the media practitioners had consistently drawn attention to challenges in education, healthcare and community development while amplifying the concerns of ordinary citizens.
Describing the awardees as “mouthpieces of the community and the less privileged,” Mr Alhaji said the impact of journalism should be measured by its positive influence on society rather than the volume of stories published or programmes presented.
He urged journalists to uphold accuracy, fairness, independence and public service, particularly amid the spread of misinformation, sensationalism and political divisions.
“Let us report in ways that inform rather than inflame, unite rather than divide, and empower rather than mislead,” he said.
Also speaking, Sa’idu Ahmad Dukawa, an associate professor in the Department of Public Administration at Bayero University, Kano, said democracy could not function effectively without active citizen participation.
Mr Dukawa identified voting, contributing to policy formulation, supporting legitimate government programmes, demanding accountability and offering constructive criticism as essential ways citizens could participate in governance.
He urged Nigerians to regard the promotion of good governance as a collective responsibility, calling on citizens across the country to support one another and work together to address societal challenges.
One of the award recipients, Mr Dan Bello, said the recognition had strengthened his confidence in the public-interest work he had been doing for nearly four years.
He described the award as an encouragement that would also motivate experienced media practitioners to mentor younger journalists interested in public-interest reporting.
“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.
The organisers said the awards were intended to promote ethical journalism, public enlightenment and greater media contributions to good governance and community development.
