Idris Receives IPI Officials, Says Media Crucial to Nigeria’s Social Engineering Drive

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has reiterated federal government’s commitment to a free press.

He echoed this in Abuja while receiving officials of the International Press Institute (IPI), Nigeria.

He underscored the vital part to be played by the media in instituting democracy in Nigeria and stressed it should be recognized for this vital role.

Idris reiterated the position of President Bola Tinubu on the matter, saying he was a product of democratic struggle, had every reason to support freedom of the press and had promised that his government would not consciously trample on the press.

“In a democratic society where the role of the media is established, we must allow it to play its role in reporting and setting agenda for development. We only ask practitioners to be responsible in this duty,” he said.

The minister noted that the Nigerian polity was desirous of social engineering for which the government required the support of all stakeholders, including the press.

He reckoned that cleaning this system for optimum performance is a collective responsibility.

He commended the President of IPI Nigeria on his appointment and urged him to apply his excellent example in online publishing to his new role.

Earlier, the President of the IPI, Musikilu Mojeed, said the media landscape in Nigeria was improving, and there was renewed hope for media practice. He called on the government to ensure the safety of journalists wherever they work.

He reassured the minister, who he described as a foundation member of the institute in Nigeria, of their support, while expressing optimism that this administration has marked itself as a media-friendly nation with the minister’s appointment.