By Khalid Idris Doya
The Bauchi State Commissioner for Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Hon. Sadiq Hamisu Shira, has congratulated Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed on his emergence as the 2026 Most Cooperative-Friendly Governor of the Year, an honour conferred by the Institute of Co-operative Professionals of Nigeria (ICOPRON).
In a congratulatory message issued yesterday, Shira described the award as a well-deserved recognition of Governor Mohammed's visionary leadership, commitment to grassroots economic empowerment and sustained support for the growth of the cooperative movement in Bauchi state.
According to the commissioner, the national recognition reflects the governor's deliberate efforts to create an enabling environment where cooperative societies, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and entrepreneurial initiatives continue to flourish as key drivers of inclusive economic development.
Shira said the Bala Mohammed administration has made significant investments in the cooperative and MSME sectors through grants, access to finance, enterprise support initiatives, capacity-building programmes, entrepreneurship development and other business support services.
He noted that the interventions have empowered thousands of entrepreneurs, artisans, women, youths, farmers and cooperative societies across the state, boosting productivity, expanding economic opportunities and improving livelihoods.
The commissioner added that the governor has consistently prioritised the development of MSMEs, recognising the sector as a major catalyst for wealth creation, innovation, industrialisation and sustainable job creation.
He described the ICOPRON award as a national endorsement of Governor Mohammed's achievements in strengthening cooperative development and promoting people-centred governance.
"This distinguished honour from ICOPRON serves as a national affirmation of Governor Bala Mohammed's remarkable achievements in advancing cooperative development and promoting people-centred governance.
It further validates the administration's resolve to build a resilient, diversified and prosperous economy anchored on empowerment, self-reliance and sustainable development," he said.
He said the ministry remains committed to supporting the governor's vision of transforming Bauchi into a leading hub for cooperative excellence, entrepreneurship, innovation and inclusive economic prosperity.
The commissioner further stated that Governor Mohammed's transformative policies and strategic investments in cooperative development, entrepreneurship and MSMEs have positioned Bauchi as one of Nigeria's emerging centres of inclusive economic growth.
He commended the governor for approving various intervention programmes, grants, enterprise support schemes, skills acquisition and capacity-building initiatives, as well as financial inclusion programmes that have enabled thousands of cooperative members and small business owners to establish, expand and sustain their businesses.
Shira also reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to supporting the governor's vision of expanding economic opportunities through vibrant cooperative societies, thriving MSMEs, innovation-driven entrepreneurship and strategic partnerships aimed at improving the living standards of the people.
He said the administration has laid a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth by making cooperative development and enterprise promotion central pillars of the state's development agenda.
According to him, the latest national recognition will further inspire the governor to deepen reforms aimed at strengthening cooperative institutions, expanding access to finance for entrepreneurs, promoting youth and women empowerment, and accelerating inclusive economic development across Bauchi State.
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