Waiya Leads Charge to Equip Social Media Advocates in Showcasing Gov. Yusuf’s Achievements
Public Eye News
By Hassan Kano
KANO, NIGERIA
May 12, 2025 In a significant push towards enhanced public communication and transparency, the Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, under the proactive leadership of Commissioner Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has launched a vital two-day capacity-building workshop. This strategic “Waiya Initiative” sees the ministry collaborating with digital communications firm Nexa Digital Services to train a cohort of social media advocates and key online influencers.
The core objective, as outlined by the ministry, is to empower these digital communicators to effectively, truthfully, and widely broadcast the diverse projects and notable achievements of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration. These successes span critical sectors including health, education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment.
Commissioner Waiya, widely recognized for his commitment to people-centric governance, emphasized the indispensable role of social media in modern governance and public perception. “This workshop is vital,” stated Waiya in his address to the participants. “While our administration has recorded significant successes, the true value of these achievements lies in how well they are conveyed to the public. Through this programme, we aim to empower you, our social media advocates, to effectively amplify the government’s achievements, counter misinformation, and build positive narratives around our shared progress as a state.”
Sani Abba Yola, the Director of Special Duties at the Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, further elaborated that this initiative is a testament to the government’s dedication to ensuring citizens are well-informed. He highlighted that the collaboration with Nexa Digital Services, a leader in digital strategy, is geared towards infusing global best practices into the state’s communication efforts, equipping advocates to create impactful and credible content.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Adamu Bala Muhammad, delivered a welcome address, urging attendees to fully leverage the training. He expressed confidence that the skills and tools gained would position them as more effective voices for Kano State’s ongoing transformation.
Day one of the workshop featured insightful presentations designed to sharpen the advocates’ digital prowess. Dr. Hassan Ya’u explored “The Role and Power of Digital Advocacy in Governance,” Dr. Haruna Isma’il discussed the “Fundamentals of Digital Media Practice,” and Dr. Gambo Nababa, Head of the Mass Communication Department, provided crucial guidance on “Communication and Social Media: Avoiding the Red Line.” Integrity in communication was a running theme, with session Chairperson Professor Hajara Umar Sanda and Dr. Sule Ya’u Sule both passionately urging participants to rigorously fact-check and verify all content before sharing it across social media platforms.
Analysis: The Waiya Initiative A Forward Thinking Approach
Commissioner Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya’s drive to formalize and enhance the skills of social media advocates represents a forward-thinking approach to governmental communication in the digital age. This initiative is more than just a training session; it’s a strategic move to build a network of informed communicators capable of not only disseminating information but also engaging with the public and countering the pervasive threat of misinformation.
By investing in such capacity-building, Commissioner Waiya and the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf are demonstrating a commitment to transparency and accountability. The emphasis on truthfulness, credibility, and fact-checking speaks volumes about the desire to foster an informed citizenry. This proactive engagement with the digital landscape is crucial for ensuring that the narrative of the administration’s efforts is clear, accurate, and reaches the people it directly impacts. The “Waiya Initiative” could well serve as a model for other states looking to harness the power of social media for constructive civic engagement and developmental communication.
The workshop signals a clear understanding that governance in the 21st century requires a dynamic and responsive communication strategy, and under Commissioner Waiya’s guidance, Kano State is actively working to meet that demand.
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