Gov Lawal Wins New Telegraph Governor of the Year Award

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has been named the "2025 Outstanding Governor of the Year (Projects)" by the New Telegraph Newspaper. The recognition was formally bestowed upon him by the Board of Editors of the Daily Telegraph Publishing Company during a glamorous ceremony at the Lagos Oriental Hotel on Friday night. According to a statement released by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the award celebrates Lawal's administration for its wide-ranging reforms and impactful projects across critical sectors in the state.

The New Telegraph cited several key achievements as the basis for the award. Primary among these were the Governor's initiatives in education, urban renewal, and the provision of basic amenities, all aimed at improving the living standards of Zamfara residents and driving sustainable development. Furthermore, the newspaper highlighted the administration's successful resolution of a 13-year backlog of civil servant gratuities, which amounted to over N16 billion. This singular act was praised as a significant relief for retirees who had waited over a decade for their entitlements. Additionally, the Governor was commended for clearing the backlog of WAEC and NECO examination fees that had accumulated for over three years, ensuring students in the state could sit for their exams without hindrance.

In his acceptance speech, Governor Lawal expressed profound gratitude to the management and Board of Editors of the Daily Telegraph for finding him worthy of the honor. He described the award as a significant morale booster for his administration. "This recognition serves as a morale boost that will motivate me and my cabinet to increase our efforts in implementing more projects and interventions for the benefit of our people in Zamfara," Lawal stated. He reassured the people of Zamfara State that his government remains committed to delivering more dividends of democracy and continuing the path of restoration and progress.