Manny Ita –
The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has conferred the “Infrastructure Governor of the Year” award upon Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State in recognition of his administration’s extensive urban renewal initiatives. The honor was presented during the second edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Awards held at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja. According to a statement released by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the award marks a departure from industry-specific honors to acknowledge transformative governance and physical development
The selection process was overseen by a committee chaired by Dr. Danladi Bako, former Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and included representatives from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON). The panel cited the modern transformation of Gusau, the state capital, and the historic construction of an international airport as primary factors for the Governor’s selection. Beyond urban infrastructure, the administration was recognized for the construction and renovation of over 800 schools across 14 local government areas, as well as the outfitting of multiple General Hospitals.
The 2026 ceremony also honored several other high-profile figures, including Governors Bassey Otu of Cross River and Uba Sani of Kaduna, alongside the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris. Media industry veterans such as John Momoh, Shyngle Wigwe, Abubakar Jijiwa, and Sa’a Ibrahim were also among the recipients. BON, established in 1973 as the umbrella body for public and private broadcasters, emphasized that the rigorous months-long selection process was designed to highlight professional excellence across the federation. The Zamfara State government noted that the recognition serves as a catalyst for continued efforts in its ongoing mission to rebuild the state’s socio-economic infrastructure.
