President Bola Tinubu has urged the Nigerian media to hold both elected and appointed government officials accountable, emphasizing that this role is vital to strengthening the nation’s democracy.
Speaking at the 20th edition of the All Nigeria Editors Conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Tinubu highlighted the critical function of the press in promoting transparency and public trust in governance.
Represented by the Minister for Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Tinubu called for a cooperative relationship between the media and government, grounded in mutual respect and collaboration.
“In any thriving democracy, the roles of the government and the media are intertwined, both essential in serving the public interest,” he said, adding that accountability should be fostered “in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration, not recrimination and opposition.”
Tinubu stressed the importance of viewing the media as partners in nation-building, with both parties working towards a common goal. “By viewing each other as allies in nation-building, we can create an environment where transparency, accountability, and mutual respect thrive.
“Together, the government and the media can empower citizens, strengthen democratic institutions, and build a more informed and resilient society,” he remarked.
On the conference’s theme, “Economic Growth and Development Strategies in a Resource-Rich Country,” Tinubu pointed out the need for Nigeria to effectively harness its abundant resources.
He noted, however, that the challenge remains in translating these resources into tangible growth and development, a task his administration has focused on in the last 18 months.
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri echoed the president’s sentiments, noting that the media has long been central to democratic governance, even as far back as the 17th century.
He praised the media for its role in promoting truth and unity, particularly during times of national and global turbulence. “The media serves as a beacon of hope and promotes understanding and unity, and its role as guardians of truth is especially critical in these turbulent times,” Diri said.
The Chairman of the conference, Nduka Obaigbena, emphasized the need for the Federal Government to revive Nigeria’s four refineries to reduce dependence on oil mafias.
“If we are going to use whatever means to deal with the oil mafias, we should keep our refineries alive,” he challenged, urging the refineries to compete with private sector players like the Dangote Refinery.
Nigeria Guild of Editors President, Mr. Eze Anaba, highlighted the financial challenges facing the media, especially in adapting to modern trends.
“Media organisations face mounting pressure to adapt to modern trends while staying financially viable and maintaining journalistic integrity,” he said, stressing that resource availability remains the biggest threat to media sustainability.
Former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, called for the resolution of a brewing crisis within the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over leadership tenure issues.
Meanwhile, keynote speaker Dele Kelvin of the National Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture raised concerns over the mismanagement of Nigeria’s oil and gas resources and the lack of stakeholder involvement in economic decisions, urging editors to continue questioning policies that impact national development.
