The Telegraph newspaper has crowned Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State the Best Governor in 2018 in the areas of health and education despite an unresolved bribery allegation against him.

Abdullahi-Ganduje

The award came at a time Mr Ganduje is facing allegation of collecting $5 million kickback from contractors.

The Daily Nigerian, an online medium, had first published a series of videos showing Mr Ganduje collecting bribes from contractors in what the newspaper called a sting operation. Similar videos soon surfaced online sparking a national outrage and demand for investigation by Nigerians.

Although the videos were also authenticated by PREMIUM TIMES in-house experts, the videos were dismissed as ‘cloned’ by the governor who subsequently headed to court to seek redress.

Meanwhile, at the Telegraph organised award occasion, after eulogising Mr Ganduje, the Managing Director of the newspaper, Funke Egbemode, said “it is good to celebrate those that are making a difference in our lives”, in obvious reference to the governor.

A statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES by the Chief Press Secretary to Mr Ganduje quoted Mrs Egbemode saying: “We believe that if we appreciate those that did good things we are at the same time encouraging them to do more in life.”

She reportedly added that, “Globally, education and health are two significant areas where successful governance and credible development index are often measured and rated.

“As a consummate politician and administrator par excellence, Ganduje realised from the outset, he had to make indelible impact on the lives of his people. And he truly did with affordable healthcare and functional education.”

The managing director also acknowledged that, “Ganduje believes strongly in the words of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, that, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Presenting the award to the governor at Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, a former minister of petroleum, Don Etiebet, on behalf of the company, acknowledged how Mr Ganduje transformed both the health and education sectors in Kano State, “within a twinkle of an eye.”.

“The outstanding performance of governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje made him stand out among his peers. While understanding the relevance of education in the state development, Ganduje believes in healthy population. That is why he did it diligently to see that he leaves indelible marks in these all-important sectors.”