President Bola Tinubu has urged the Nigerian media to hold elected and appointed government officials accountable in ways that bolster Nigeria’s democratic foundation.
Speaking through the Minister for Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, at the 20th All Nigeria Editors Conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Tinubu emphasized the media’s crucial role in supporting democracy.
At the conference themed “Economic Growth and Development Strategies in a Resource-Rich Country,” Tinubu stressed the importance of collaboration between the media and government.
“In any thriving democracy, the roles of the government and the media are intertwined, both essential in serving the public interest. Of course, the media has a duty to hold elected and appointed officials accountable and ensure that we are doing our work in a manner that strengthens democracy – not weakens it,” Tinubu said.
He further noted, “That important work must be done in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration, not recrimination and opposition; this alignment enables us to achieve common goals that benefit society at large.”
The president called for the government and media to see each other as partners in nation-building.
“By viewing each other as allies in nation-building, we can create an environment where transparency, accountability, and mutual respect thrive,” Tinubu added.
He expressed hope that this partnership would empower citizens, strengthen institutions, and cultivate an informed society.
Addressing the conference theme, Tinubu acknowledged Nigeria’s vast resources and posed the question of how best to “translate these resources into meaningful growth and development.”
He highlighted that his administration, over the past 18 months, has focused on laying the groundwork for a more prosperous nation.
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri also addressed the media’s role in democratic governance, noting its historical significance and current importance as a “beacon of hope, promoting understanding and unity.”
Diri underscored integrity as the foundation of journalism, saying, “The media’s role as guardians of truth is critical, especially in these turbulent times both in our nation and around the world.”
Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of the Arise News Group, urged the federal government to revive Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries as a means to curb oil monopolies.
“If we are going to use whatever means to deal with the oil mafias, we should keep our refineries alive. If you say you want to stop the monopoly, then our four refineries must work. Let those four refineries compete with Dangote Refinery,” Obaigbena asserted.
He encouraged journalists to remain resilient and endorsed Tinubu’s reforms, saying, “The time is hard, but Nigerian journalists are tougher.”
The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, spoke on challenges facing the media, emphasizing the need for resource materials amid economic constraints.
“Media organisations face mounting pressure to adapt to modern trends while staying financially viable and maintaining journalistic integrity,” Anaba said.
Former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba called on editors to mediate in the ongoing leadership dispute within the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), urging for unity in resolving the crisis.
In his keynote address, Dele Kelvin, President of the National Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, pinpointed oil and gas mismanagement as a major obstacle to Nigeria’s economic growth.
He urged editors to ask questions about decisions that impact national development, highlighting the importance of media scrutiny in governance.