The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has explained why Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State was honoured as Patron of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), describing him as one of the most communication-friendly leaders in the country.

Idris made the remarks on Tuesday shortly after the governor’s investiture held at the newly commissioned Brigadier General Abba Kyari Banquet Hall, adjoining Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.

He recalled that Kaduna State’s Ministry of Information was revived in 2025 after being scrapped under a previous administration, noting that Governor Sani responded promptly to advice to restore it.

“In December 2024, the Governor attended the National Council on Information and National Orientation meeting where we discussed the absence of a Ministry of Information in Kaduna State. Once advised, he immediately restored it,” the minister said.

According to him, Governor Sani’s strong interest in communication and public relations practice made him a natural choice for recognition by the NIPR.

He added that the governor also readily agreed to host the 2026 Nigerian Public Relations Week after being briefed on its objectives.

The theme of the 2026 edition is “Nigeria’s Food Security: From Policy Paper to Public Plates – The Imperatives of Public Relations,” with South African-based food security expert, Ambassador Dr Brylyne Chitsunge, delivering the keynote address.

Speaking at the event, Governor Uba Sani said the theme aligns with his administration’s focus on agriculture and food security, describing Kaduna as committed to translating policies into real-life impact.

He said governance must move beyond policy formulation to effective implementation that benefits citizens.

“Policies succeed not only because they are well designed, but because they are understood, trusted, and embraced by the people they are meant to serve,” he said.

The governor also highlighted increased investment in agriculture, noting that the sector’s allocation rose significantly from ₦1.48 billion in 2023 to ₦74.02 billion in 2025 and ₦108 billion in 2026.

He said his administration has supported over 120,000 smallholder farmers through input distribution, mechanisation support, and irrigation expansion programmes.

According to him, more than 900 trucks of fertiliser and about 540,000 bags have been distributed free to farmers across Kaduna State, alongside the deployment of over 10,000 solar-powered water pumping machines.

Governor Sani added that his administration’s agricultural policy focuses on continuous, inclusive, and productivity-driven farming systems aimed at improving food security in the state.