Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has no intention of gaging the media but is committed to ensuring responsible and accountable journalism.
He stated this on Wednesday after a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The Minister who called for responsible journalism also said that the President has saddled him with the responsibility of renewing the confidence of Nigerians.
READ ALSO: Information Minister Tours Agencies Under His purview
It would be recalled that the Minister toured agencies and parastatals under his Ministry; the Nigeria Television Authority, Voice of Nigeria, Nigeria Press Council, National Orientation Agency among others
@voiceofnigeria pic.twitter.com/f699uoKJVy
— Fed Min of Info & Nat’l Orien (@FMINONigeria) October 18, 2023
Nigeria Press Council pic.twitter.com/Rf1M3Me9jb
— Fed Min of Info & Nat’l Orien (@FMINONigeria) October 18, 2023
The Honorable Minister of Information & National Orientation, @HMMohammedIdris recently concluded a familiarization tour of agencies and parastatals under his Ministry. These are the key messages he communicated to the various agencies during his visit. pic.twitter.com/AjmJXjArJr
— Fed Min of Info & Nat’l Orien (@FMINONigeria) October 18, 2023
He announced that very soon the government would initiate a national dialogue on orientation and reorientation, with the goal of re-establishing Nigerians’ trust in their nation.
On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, the Minister concluded the familiarization tour of agencies and parastatals under his Ministry with a visit to the National Orientation Agency
READ ALSO: Information Minister Promises Improved Agencies For Nigerians
He noted that the agency is the mandate office for national orientation, being the custodian of national values and symbols, which reflect the country’s collective heritage.
He said the agency has a responsibility to ensure that those symbols and values are maintained for the benefit of the next generation.
The Minister announced plans for a national discussion on value reorientation in Nigeria, citing the significance of character, one value that has an impact on all aspects of national life.
PRESS RELEASE@NOA_Nigeria IS THE FULCRUM OF NATIONAL REORIENTATION – SAYS IDRIS, CHARGES PRESS TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, @HMMohammedIdris , has said that his ministry is the custodian of the… pic.twitter.com/XvbkoomHqR
— Fed Min of Info & Nat’l Orien (@FMINONigeria) October 18, 2023
Fielding questions from Journalists on managing the excesses of social media, the Minister explained that responsible journalism is the way to go.
“While government and Mr. President and all of us in that sector are committed to ensuring that there’s press freedom. That freedom, like I said, comes with responsibility. A lot of things that some of these people on social media are doing are also not very patriotic. Sometimes you say news that is not factual. But I don’t want a situation where it will be seen that the government is trying to gag the press. I want that to be underscored. There is no attempt by the government to gag the press. We’re going to do whatever it takes that is responsible and accountable. Responsible journalism is the way to go.”
Speaking on the need for renewed patriotism, the Minister said that the government of President Tinubu is trying to rebuild patriotism and discipline in the minds of Nigerians
The Minister emphasized that the administration of President Tinubu is actively working to reintroduce the values of discipline, patriotism and a belief in the nation’s ideals that were instilled by the founding fathers.
Idris stressed that this will herald a fresh perspective in the roles of the Federal Ministry of Information and will place national orientation at its core.
“Mr. President giving me a match in order to see that Nigerians believe in this country once again, we’re coming up with national discourse on orientation or reorientation. So that Nigerians can believe in their country. You know that people don’t believe even leaders that they have elected. Flags are not flying anymore. You go to government overseas, you don’t even see the symbol of our collective existence, flying even in public buildings.
“We’re bringing that about, we are bringing back this concept of discipline that Nigerians should have. Patriotism. Belief in the nationhood that our founding fathers have told us so it is going to be a new Minister of Information and national orientation and national orientation is going to be at the centre of it.”
Idris also declared that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation is in the process of formulating a comprehensive plan to revitalize the sector, an initiative he said is targeted at restoring Nigerians’ faith in their country.
“The national orientation agency has offices in the 774 LGAs. Of course, there’s efficiency now, not all the people who will man these local government offices are there, but we are rebuilding that.
“We are going to put officers around all the 774 LGAs and we are coming up with a roadmap that will revamp that sector so that Nigerians can believe in their country once again.” The Minister added.
