Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s support for the Nigeria Press Council’s national compendium, highlighting the economic and tourism potentials of all states in the country.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a friend of the media and a firm believer in press independence, explaining that the Tinubu administration has, over the past three years, fostered an environment that allows journalists to operate without harassment.
VP Shettima made the remarks while receiving a delegation from the Nigeria Press Council (NPC), led by its Executive Secretary and CEO, Dr Dili Ezughah, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He noted that people often make libellous or provocative statements against the government, yet they face no retaliation because of the President’s tolerance.
“The President is a friend of the media. He used to assist them from his personal resources, with newsprint and other support mechanisms. He is also a publisher. So, he knows the ecosystem very well, and he believes in the independence of the press.
“For the past three years, have you heard of any harassment of journalists? His tolerance threshold is so high that people who are making incendiary remarks are allowed to have their day, for peace to reign in the country,” he said.
VP Shettima pledged the government’s backing for the NPC’s effort to secure official national endorsement of the publication. He further promised to engage Governors across the 36 states to support the project.
“The subnationals own the land, own the people. Their role is very pivotal in really pushing this country forward,” he stated, highlighting the importance of governors’ involvement in the initiative.
He also welcomed the national compendium, titled “Nigeria: Documenting the Economic and Tourism Profiles of the 36 States and the FCT,” noting its potential to “sell Nigeria to the world.”
“If you go to other countries, you will see similar books at the airport stands. In terms of the quality of the job, the writings are so top-notch that we can embrace it as our national treasure, and see to it that it is massively printed and circulated to our embassies,” he observed.
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Earlier, the Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, thanked the Vice President for his ongoing support for initiatives that strengthen Nigeria’s economic and cultural positioning.
She explained that the publication is particularly significant for the tourism and creative economy sectors.
“For these sectors to attract investment and gain global recognition, they must be documented and presented in a structured and credible format such as the compendium, thereby bringing visibility to Nigeria’s cultural sites, tourism destinations, creative hubs, and heritage assets across all thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory,” she said.
Also speaking, Bauchi State Deputy Governor Mohammed Jatau, on behalf of Governor Bala Mohammed, expressed gratitude to the federal leadership, noting that the compendium will allow each state to showcase its unique tourism and economic potential.
The Executive Secretary of the NPC, Dr Ezughah, expressed gratitude to the Vice President for granting the NPC Planning Committee an audience and acknowledged his consistent support for sub-national economic development and national coordination.
He explained that the national compendium being developed spotlights Nigeria’s economic and tourism profiles and requires the Vice President’s strategic direction on the document.