President Bola Tinubu has known as on the media to carry each elected and appointed authorities officers accountable in a method that might strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
He made the decision on the twentieth version of the All Nigeria Editors Convention in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Tinubu, who made the decision on Thursday, was represented by the Minister for Data and Nationwide Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on the convention, which had the theme: Financial Development and Growth Methods in a Useful resource-Wealthy Nation.
He acknowledged that the roles of the media and authorities are intertwined and have to be carried out in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration, aligned to attain widespread objectives.
“In any thriving democracy, the roles of the federal government and the media are intertwined, each important in serving the general public curiosity. In fact, the media has an obligation to carry elected and appointed officers accountable and be certain that we’re doing our work in a fashion that strengthens democracy – not weakens it. That necessary work have to be accomplished in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration, not recrimination and opposition; this alignment allows us to attain widespread objectives that profit society at massive,” Tinubu mentioned.
The president emphasised the necessity for each events to see one another as allies in nation-building, creating an surroundings the place transparency, accountability, and mutual respect can thrive.
“By viewing one another as allies in nation-building, we are able to create an surroundings the place transparency, accountability, and mutual respect thrive. Collectively, the federal government and the media can empower residents, strengthen democratic establishments, and construct a extra knowledgeable and resilient society,” he mentioned.
Concerning the convention’s theme, Tinubu famous that regardless of Nigeria being endowed with each human and pure assets, the urgent query stays: learn how to “translate these assets into significant progress and growth.”
He defined that his administration had spent the previous 18 months laying the inspiration for a affluent nation and went on to enumerate a few of his achievements throughout this era.
Additionally talking, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri acknowledged the importance of the media in democratic governance, noting that the media’s significance has been recognised for the reason that seventeenth century. He identified that democracy depends on the media to thrive.
Diri acknowledged that the media serves as a beacon of hope, promotes understanding and unity, and that its position as guardians of fact was particularly important in “these turbulent instances each in our nation and around the globe.”
He additionally emphasised that integrity is the cornerstone of the career, which builds belief with the general public and fortifies the foundations of a wholesome democracy.
Diri described the convention theme as “each related and well timed,” including that “we discover ourselves at a pivotal second in Nigeria’s journey towards sustainable growth. Our nation brims with ample assets, but poverty and underdevelopment persist throughout numerous communities: a hanging paradox.”
The Chairman of the convention and the chairman of Come up Information Group, Nduka Obaigbena, challenged the Federal Authorities to place the 4 government-owned refineries within the nation to work as a way to curb the actions of the oil mafias.
Obaigbena mentioned, “If we’re going to use no matter means to take care of the oil mafias, we must always hold our refineries alive. In case you say you wish to cease the monopoly, then our 4 refineries should work. Let these 4 refineries compete with Dangote Refinery.”
He additional challenged the Minister of Data and Bayo Onanuga to make sure the refineries are operational. “Everyone is feeling the ache within the nation. The time is difficult, however Nigerian journalists are harder, so it’s a must to be powerful to deal with the instances.”
“I can see that the longer term will be higher if we give Tinubu’s reforms a face. We should always assist the reforms, however we should be certain that the weak are supported. We’re prepared for the change, however step one is to place our home so as. Allow us to repair Nigeria. That’s the very first thing to do, and let’s additionally work exhausting to guard our industries,” Obaigbena added.
The President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mr Eze Anaba, mentioned that the supply of useful resource supplies is the most important menace to media survival in Nigeria.
Anaba acknowledged that selections made by editors are important to nationwide growth, noting that nationwide financial progress instantly influences each sector, together with the media.
He mentioned, “Media organisations face mounting stress to adapt to fashionable traits whereas staying financially viable and sustaining journalistic integrity. Now, we expect the one problem going through the media will likely be adapting to fashionable traits. However the greatest menace to media survival as we speak is the supply of useful resource supplies to provide our papers or to broadcast on our TV stations.”
Former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, known as for a committee to look into the disaster inside the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the difficulty of tenure for the current management, saying editors are the one united group after newspaper proprietors, that would resolve the disaster.
He mentioned, “Earlier than you allow, I need you to arrange a committee to look into the disaster brewing within the NUJ. They’re supposed to carry their annual convention, however some persons are saying that the president has overstayed his tenure, they usually took him to court docket. You’re the solely united group after the NPAN to intervene in that disaster brewing within the NUJ.”
Keynote speaker, the President of the Nationwide Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines, and Agriculture, Dele Kelvin, mentioned that one of many biggest challenges confronting the nation is the mismanagement of oil and fuel assets.
He additionally highlighted the poor administration of the alternate fee and the federal authorities’s selections made with out stakeholder involvement as key points troubling the financial system.
Kelvin mentioned he was not preventing anybody however urged members on the convention to ask questions.
He unhappy, “You might be editors. Try to be asking questions, particularly if what was occurring was detrimental to nationwide growth.”