By Adamu Imam, Bauchi
BAUCHI — Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has been honoured with the Gazelle News 2026 Governor of the Year Award for Grassroots Development in recognition of his exceptional leadership and transformative achievements across key sectors.
This is contained in a press statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, on Wednesday.
The award was presented during the annual Gazelle News Lecture and Awards held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The event brought together eminent political leaders, policymakers, media executives, business leaders, traditional rulers, civil society representatives, and other distinguished Nigerians to celebrate excellence in public service and national development.
Governor Mohammed was represented at the ceremony by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Comrade Mukhtar Gidado, who received the award on his behalf.
According to the organisers, the award recognises Governor Mohammed’s remarkable commitment to grassroots development and his administration’s outstanding performance in infrastructure, healthcare delivery, education, agriculture, rural development, social welfare, youth empowerment, and inclusive governance.
They noted that the Governor’s people-oriented policies and development programmes have significantly improved the quality of life of the people of Bauchi State, while positioning the state as one of Nigeria’s emerging models of sustainable and inclusive development.
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Hamzat, served as Chairman of the occasion and was represented by Senator Muslim Obanikoro. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, delivered the keynote lecture themed “Driving Grassroots Governance with Public-Private Partnership: The Gains, The Pains, The Prospects.”
In his address, he underscored the importance of visionary leadership, effective communication, accountability, and good governance in fostering national development and strengthening democratic institutions.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Editor-in-Chief of Gazelle News, Mr. Musba’u Rasak, expressed appreciation to guests and participants for supporting the organisation’s vision of promoting excellence, accountability, and responsible leadership. He said the annual lecture and award was instituted to recognise individuals whose contributions have made meaningful impacts on governance and socio-economic development across Nigeria.
Several prominent personalities from different sectors were also honoured for their outstanding contributions and exemplary service to the nation.
Receiving the award, Comrade Gidado expressed Governor Mohammed’s appreciation to the management of Gazelle News for the recognition, describing it as a validation of the Governor’s unwavering commitment to delivering democratic dividends to the people of Bauchi State.
He stated that the Governor dedicates the award to the resilient and hardworking people of Bauchi State, whose support continues to inspire the administration’s determination to pursue people-centred policies and sustainable development.
He added that the administration remains focused on consolidating its achievements by expanding infrastructure, improving healthcare services, strengthening education, enhancing agricultural productivity, empowering youths and women, promoting rural development, and implementing social protection programmes.
Gidado noted that under Governor Mohammed’s leadership, Bauchi State has witnessed unprecedented investments in road construction, urban renewal, healthcare infrastructure, educational reforms, water supply, housing, agricultural transformation, and social welfare programmes aimed at improving living standards and stimulating economic growth.
He reiterated that the Governor considers every recognition as a call to greater service and assured that his administration would remain steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, and sustainable development.
- The Gazelle News Governor of the Year Award for Grassroots Development adds to the growing list of national recognitions earned by Governor Bala Mohammed for his visionary leadership and consistent pursuit of equitable development.
