2027: Sidi Inaugurates Media Professionals’ Forum for Wadada, Tasks Members on Publicity of Sule’s Rural Development Projects
...Discloses 450km Rural Roads Completed, Over 25,000 Youths Empowered; Says Bureau Set for Transformation into Statutory Agency
By SULEIMAN ABUBAKAR RIMI UKU
The Director-General of the Nasarawa State Bureau for Rural Development, Engineer Sidi Mohammed Sidi, has inaugurated the Engr. Sidi Media Professionals for Wadada 2027, calling for stronger media engagement to publicise the achievements of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration, particularly in rural communities.
Sidi made the call during the inauguration of the forum at his office along Shendam Road, Lafia, where he emphasised the importance of strategic media collaboration in promoting government programmes and development initiatives.
He expressed appreciation to Almighty Allah for the opportunity to bring media professionals together, describing the forum as a platform for unity, partnership and collective commitment to the development of Nasarawa State.
The Director-General commended Governor Abdullahi A. Sule for creating opportunities for young people and other stakeholders to contribute to the development of the state, assuring that he would continue to justify the confidence reposed in him.
He particularly welcomed the establishment of the forum, observing that several achievements of the present administration, especially in rural communities, had not received adequate publicity despite their significance.
According to him, the media has a critical responsibility to bridge the information gap by consistently informing the public about government activities, projects and policies.
He expressed confidence that the involvement of experienced journalists and media practitioners would give government programmes greater visibility within and beyond Nasarawa State.
450 Kilometres of Rural Roads Executed
Highlighting the achievements of the Bureau, Sidi disclosed that the Nasarawa State Government had constructed, rehabilitated, maintained and expanded approximately 450 kilometres of rural roads, with several other projects ongoing.
He said the interventions demonstrated the Sule administration’s commitment to opening up rural communities, improving accessibility and connecting residents to economic and social opportunities.
He also disclosed that the administration had created employment opportunities for more than 25,000 youths across the state, describing job creation as an important strategy for addressing insecurity and promoting sustainable community development.
Sidi recalled an observation by the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency during an engagement last year, when the official reportedly noted that Governor Sule's performance in his second term was surpassing that of his first tenure.
Backs Wadada's 2027 Governorship Ambition
On the political dimension of the gathering, the Director-General expressed confidence in the decision to support Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as the preferred successor to Governor Sule in 2027.
He said the forum was committed to working towards Wadada's success, noting that its members believed in continuity of the development agenda of the present administration.
However, he advised the newly inaugurated forum to streamline its objectives into two or three major areas to ensure effective coordination, focus and measurable results.
He specifically identified rural development advocacy and strategic partnership with the Bureau to publicise government achievements as priority areas requiring the attention of members.
Bureau Set for Transformation into Statutory Agency
Sidi further revealed that the Bureau for Rural Development, established in February 2021 through an executive order, was undergoing a legislative process aimed at transforming it into a statutory agency.
He explained that the executive bill seeking the transformation had passed its first and second readings at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, with the third reading expected the following week before final consideration and transmission for the governor's assent.
According to him, the proposed transformation would expand the Bureau's mandate beyond rural road construction to cover other critical areas of rural development, including education, healthcare, water supply and sanitation, rural electrification, statistics and essential infrastructure.
He also disclosed that the Bureau was compiling comprehensive data on rural communities across Nasarawa State to identify their specific development needs and establish priorities for government interventions.
The initiative, he explained, would provide a reliable database for development planning and enable the state to attract support from international development partners, non-governmental organisations and other funding institutions beyond government allocations.
He stressed the importance of identifying the peculiar needs of individual rural communities and prioritising interventions to ensure that development projects directly address the challenges confronting residents.
The Director-General described the inauguration of the media professionals' forum as timely, expressing optimism that sustained collaboration between the media and the Bureau would enhance public awareness of rural development programmes and government achievements.
He urged members to remain focused, committed and professional in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Convener Explains Rationale Behind the Forum
Earlier, the Convener of the Engr. Sidi Media Professionals for Wadada 2027, Comrade Suleiman Abubakar Rimi Uku, explained that the forum was established to bring together media professionals and practitioners who share a common commitment to supporting the continuity of the development agenda of Governor Abdullahi Sule through the 2027 political project of Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada.
He said the initiative was also designed to create a coordinated platform through which media professionals could deploy their experience, communication skills and professional networks towards effective public enlightenment, strategic political communication and the promotion of rural development.
The Convener disclosed that the forum was formed about three months ago and had since been making efforts to secure an audience with the Director-General, noting that the meeting finally became possible due to the exigencies of his official engagements.
He further disclosed that the forum had approximately 15 members, including journalists, media professionals and social media handlers, who would work collectively to advance its objectives.
Suleiman Abubakar Rimi Uku emphasised that the forum would operate with a sense of responsibility, professionalism and coordinated engagement, while ensuring that the achievements and development initiatives of the present administration receive appropriate public attention.
He expressed appreciation to Engineer Sidi Mohammed Sidi for accepting to inaugurate the forum and for his encouragement and guidance.
