The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris has urged media practitioners to shape the future of Northern Nigeria by telling stories that reflect the region’s resilience, innovation and immense potential, rather than focusing solely on its challenges.
Idris made the call on Monday at a summit in Kano, themed “Government-Citizen Accord: Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Media Practice.”
He said democracy thrives when governments remain accountable, citizens actively participate in governance, and the media fulfils its constitutional responsibility with professionalism, accuracy and integrity.
“The future of Northern Nigeria will not be determined only by the quality of our roads or industries, but by the quality of the ideas we promote and the stories we tell about our region,” he said.
The minister described the media as one of the most powerful forces shaping public opinion, influencing investment, preserving culture, strengthening democracy and fostering national unity.
According to Idris, Northern Nigeria is endowed with enormous human and natural resources, including a youthful population, rich cultural heritage, thriving commercial centres and vast agricultural potential. He said the way the region is portrayed would significantly influence investment, public confidence and national cohesion.
Idris also noted that smartphones and social media have transformed the information landscape, enabling ordinary citizens to become publishers while accelerating the spread of both information and misinformation.
He urged journalists to uphold ethical standards by countering falsehoods and denying violent extremist groups the publicity they seek.
“Let us tell the story of Northern Nigeria with honesty, confidence and balance. Let us confront our challenges without surrendering to despair, celebrate our achievements without abandoning objectivity, and project to the world a region defined not only by its resilience but also by its ingenuity, enterprise and boundless potential,” he said.
Earlier, the Convener of the summit and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, underscored the importance of trust among government, the media and citizens.
He said no nation could achieve sustainable development in an atmosphere of mutual distrust, noting that ethical journalism promotes public confidence while providing government with the feedback needed to improve governance.
“Accurate reporting, fair context and verified facts give citizens confidence to support their leaders, even in turbulent times. They also give government the feedback it needs to serve better. In short, ethical media is not a luxury; it is infrastructure for unity, progress and growth,” he said.
Also speaking, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf commended the organisers for convening the summit, describing it as timely.
The summit attracted goodwill messages from the governors of and and was attended by the Minister of Livestock Development, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, media executives, journalists and other stakeholders from across Northern Nigeria.
