Buhari: FG Guarantees Media Freedom, Freedom of Expression

* Pledges support for hosting of major cultural, tourism and literary events

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that his administration guarantees media freedom and freedom of expression in the country.

This is just as he also promised total support for three major international events scheduled to hold in Nigeria in October and November this year, saying they are opportunities to showcase the nation’s rich heritage in culture, arts, tourism and entertainment, as well as advancements on media freedom.

Nigeria will be hosting the 2022 UNESCO Global Media, Information Literacy (MIL) Week in Abuja, in October, the first Global Conference on Cultural Tourism and Creative Industry in Lagos, as well as the 2nd Global Association of Literary Festivals Conference at Abeokuta in November.

Welcoming the decision by UNESCO, United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the Global Association of Literary Festivals to grant Nigeria the right to host these separate historic events, the president, in a statement issued Sunday by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, assured all relevant stakeholders and participants of the warmth and hospitality of Nigerians.

On MIL Week, President Buhari noted that it is instructive that Nigeria is attracting positive international attention as a country that promotes media freedom and freedom of expression, recognizing the important roles information literacy and media education play in sustainable development.

On the first Global Conference on Cultural Tourism and Creative Industry, the president said the rapid growth of Nigeria’s film, fashion, music and ICT sector, and the increase in international appeal and acceptance would continue to spur government to devote more resources to the sector.

Among other initiatives, he recalled that the Creative Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI), established by his administration and managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, has provided single-digit financing to many young Nigerians in the fields of fashion, film, music and information technology.

The $100 million re-development of the National Theatre, Lagos into a world-class creative park is also ongoing, following the handover of the facility to CBN and the Bankers Committee.

The Nigerian leader expressed hope that the literary world will find many good things to celebrate about Nigeria when they meet in the historic city of Abeokuta, homeland and birthplace of one of Nigeria’s finest literary icons and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

President Buhari is also delighted to welcome international visitors to Nigeria and urged fellow compatriots to use the period to exhibit the values “that make us a unique, friendly and peace-loving people”.