Nigerian Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris has urged the media not to lose guard in the defence of Nigeria’s 24 years of unbroken democratic experience.
The Information Minister stated this when the executive council of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), paid him a courtesy visit in his office, in Abuja.
“Nigeria’s democratic journey was hard fought for by all, with the media playing a leading role in the struggle against military dictatorship, therefore, 24 years after, the media shouldn’t be seen to be losing guard at this critical juncture. What it must do is to sustain and reinforce its time-honoured support for democracy,” Idris said.
He assured the NGE executives led by its President, Eze Anaba, that the government is fully committed to entrenching democratic values, particularly the adherence to the tenets of press freedom, adding that the media is looked up to as beacons in prioritising the preservation of Nigeria’s democracy, peace, unity, and national security in their coverage of national issues.
The Minister further explained that the reform agenda of the President Tinubu administration is in full swing “Nigeria is on the path to a new era of socio-economic progress, which comes with teething problems, therefore, the media should always project positivity.”
He added that the Tinubu administration will continue to support the media through special interventions to ease the pains associated with their operations, such as providing single-digit loans through the Bank of Industry, even as the need to mitigate the high cost of newsprint is a a top priority.
Speaking earlier, the NGE President, Mr Eze Anaba, said the 20th All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) in Bayelsa State, promises to be a landmark event with the theme – Economic Growth and Development Strategies in a Resource-Rich Country, which he said conforms with Nigeria’s current realities and the urgent need for solutions.
The 20th All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) is scheduled to take place in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, from November 6-9, 2024.
The 20th All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) is scheduled to take place in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, from November 6-9, 2024.
Lantana Nasir
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