Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has underscored the critical role of the media in nation-building, stating that the responsibility of nurturing Nigeria’s democracy largely rests on the shoulders of the press.
Speaking at the annual Blueprint Newspaper Public Lecture, Impact Series, and Awards in Abuja, Idris acknowledged the challenges within the information ecosystem but maintained that the media remain resilient and vibrant.
“In doing that job, you have an enormous responsibility to hold government and leaders to account, but even as you do that, you also have to know that because of your vantage position and the critical role you play, you can also help. If you don’t take care, your actions may be injurious to society,” he said.
He added that it was important for the media to exercise discernment in distinguishing between right and wrong to avoid causing division or destabilising the country.
According to Idris, President Tinubu fully supports the media and recognises its pivotal role in national development.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an ardent supporter of the media. He knows that the media is very crucial in nation-building, and he has told me severally that I should go and do my job as best as I deem fit, being a professional myself. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not in any way, form, or shape, stifle or stand in the way of the progress or the work of the media in this country. But all of us media professionals have to come together to walk this delicate path and ensure that society is being kept together while also holding leaders and government to account,” the Minister stated.
Idris, while reaffirming the President’s commitment to championing press freedom, commended the event organisers and the awardees, noting that their selection was entirely at the discretion of the newspaper without external influence.
“I thank you for keeping the flag flying. I haven’t visited that office in about a year now, but I guess I will. I wanted to see whether they would indeed keep this flag flying. I am proud and happy that what we started has continued to flourish,” he said.
Also speaking, Nigeria’s Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Idi Mahe, revealed that the government is laying the groundwork to transform Nigeria into a globally competitive livestock-exporting nation through bold reforms and strategic investments.
“The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has already developed a National Livestock Acceleration Strategy to tackle key sectoral challenges such as poor market access, low productivity, disease control, and weak value chains. From cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, camels to donkeys, our numbers show massive potential. We are laying the groundwork for a livestock economy that is safe, sustainable, and globally competitive. But to unlock this, we need deliberate commitment and partnerships with the private sector, researchers, development partners and the media,” he said.
He highlighted ongoing efforts, including livestock traceability systems, disease-free zones, improved feeding, veterinary services, and regulatory frameworks aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s livestock export readiness.
On her part, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, stressed the need for deliberate women’s empowerment in the sector.
“The theme of this event is apt, and it excites me because, as you are aware, 70% of the smallholder farmers are women. And the main goal of the youth agenda of this excellent development for women is to build the women’s economic power. It’s not enough to be 70% in the sector. We’re going to show the way. The Women Affairs Ministry is in collaboration with the Livestock Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry. We will empower women to be able to not only feed Nigeria but to feed Africa and the world at large. So this is something that is apt, and we look forward to achieving that. Because when women’s economic power is being built, a lot of the problems that we have in this country will disappear,” she said.
Other highlights of the event included the presentation of awards to well-deserving Nigerians.
The Public Lecture, with the theme “Exploring the Potentials of Livestock Employment in Nigeria: Finding Workable Solutions to Sectoral Challenges,” attracted stakeholders from across the livestock, agriculture, security, business, and policy sectors.
PIAK