By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, has urged stated executive council of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), that It is very important for the media to not lose guard in the defence of Nigeria’s 24 years of unbroken democratic experience.
Idris stated when the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE),paid him a courtesy visit to inform on the preparations for the 20th All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) scheduled to take place in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, from November 6-9, 2024.
This was contained in a press statement signed and issued by Special Assistant Media to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim
“Nigeria’s democratic journey was hard fought for by all, with the media playing a leading role in the struggle against military dictatorship, therefore, 24 years after, the media shouldn’t be seen to be losing guard at this critical juncture. What it must do is to sustain and reinforce its time-honoured support for democracy,” Idris said.
Idris assured the NGE executives led by its President, Mr Eze Anaba, that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully committed to entrenching democratic values, particularly the adherence to the tenets of press freedom.
But more than ever before, Idris added, the media is looked up to as beacons in prioritising the preservation of Nigeria’s democracy, peace, unity, and national security in their coverage of national issues.
The Minister further explained that the reform agenda of the President Tinubu administration is in full swing and pleaded with the media to project positivity, asserting, that Nigeria is on the path to a new era of socio-economic progress, which comes with teething problems.
