The Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim Farouk, has urged journalists in the state to strengthen development journalism by reporting government policies, programmes and projects based on their measurable impact on citizens.
Farouk made the call at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Retreat of the NUJ Kano Correspondents Chapel, held in Kaduna, with the theme, “2027 General Election: Legal, Security, Ethical Boundaries and How Media Can Navigate the Hurdles During Elections.”
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Represented by the Chief Press Secretary to the Kano State Governor, Mustapha Muhammad, the SSG commended the leadership of the Correspondents Chapel for organising the retreat, describing it as an opportunity for journalists to unwind, reflect on societal priorities and improve their professional capacity.
He also commended the collaboration between the Kano State Government and the Correspondents Chapel, expressing hope that the relationship would be sustained in the public interest.
Speaking on the topic, “Why Journalists Should Tell the Story of Kano State Government’s Developmental Studies,” Farouk said the subject was timely, particularly as the state approaches another election season.
He described journalists as strategic actors in societal development, with responsibilities extending beyond reporting events to informing citizens, holding institutions accountable and communicating government policies and programmes.
The SSG urged journalists in Kano to tell the story of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration and the physical development taking place across the state, stressing that citizens have a right to know how public resources are being utilised and how government interventions are affecting their lives.
He, however, cautioned that development journalism should not be confused with government propaganda, saying it involves identifying, investigating and reporting policies, projects and interventions that have measurable consequences for citizens.
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He urged journalists to go beyond reporting commissioning ceremonies and examine the quality, beneficiaries, implementation timelines, impact and sustainability of projects.
Farouk said government interventions in education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, women’s development, employment, environmental protection, infrastructure and social investment deserved sustained media attention.
He also encouraged journalists to continue drawing the government’s attention to the needs and concerns of citizens, describing such reporting as constructive criticism that could contribute meaningfully to development.
On the 2027 general elections, Farouk said journalists operating in Kano would have an enormous responsibility to promote peace, accuracy and responsible democratic participation, noting that the state’s large population, political activities and diverse interests could generate strong emotions, competing narratives and misinformation.
He urged journalists to ensure that election reporting was guided by accuracy, fairness, impartiality, balance and the public interest, while cautioning against materials capable of inflaming ethnic, religious, regional or political divisions.
According to him, journalists should exercise particular care when reporting allegations, campaign speeches, inflammatory statements and clashes involving political supporters.
He warned that statements capable of provoking violence should not be amplified merely because they are sensational, just as headlines should not distort the substance of stories simply to attract attention.
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Farouk called on the media to help create an atmosphere conducive to peace and harmony before, during and after the 2027 elections, stressing that political disagreements were normal in a democracy but should not be allowed to degenerate into hostility.
“Election will come and go, our beloved city of Kano will remain,” he said, while congratulating the Correspondents Chapel once again for organising the retreat.