Emmanuel Thomas
[wysija_form id=”1″]April 25, 2015 – President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has called on the media to partner with his government in the quest to transform Nigeria.
Buhari made the call at the 2015 Biennial Convention of the Nigerian Guild Of Editors,(NGE) in Lagos. Buhari who paid tribute the media for its robustness affirmed that the Nigerian press played a key role in bringing about the present change in leadership.
Speaking through his Vice President-elect, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Buhari said the work of the press is not over and that the incoming administration would like the press to continue its role of watchdog by aggregating the views and positions of the people on national issues and presenting these as lucidly as possible through publication and other channels to the government to guide it in the onerous task of providing good governance.
“Nigeria is a huge country and no government can be able to know all that is happening across the length and breadth of the country without assistance of the media which has an impressive national reach.”
He said that the press in Nigeria and indeed in many countries influences millions of people daily as most people make it a habit to read a newspaper or listen to newspaper reviews every morning before setting out for the days’ business.
“And for many people including government officials, the reports contained in newspapers or the editorial opinions of some of the influential newspapers remain at the back of their minds and influence the basis of discussion and debate among government officials.
“There is no modern society or government that can neglect the press or can function without a vibrant media. It is for this reason that most government agencies, ministries and departments as well as the Presidency or Office of the Prime Minister have press offices manned by media specialists and communication officers.
“Also in democracies, we are yet to see a political party that does not employ the services of journalists and media experts nor can any political party or individual seek power or mandate from the people without utilizing the services of media experts and journalists. In fact, it has become the norm, judging from our own 2015 national elections, that committed and knowledgeable media team comprising a seasoned and well-informed journalist under a good leader influences the difference between victory and defeat,” he said.
According to him, the press plays a very important role in all modern states and especially in democracies. And as more and more states strive towards improving popular participation in government, the role of the press can only but expand thereby conferring more influence and responsibility on the editors and their guilds or association.
“It is instructive and delightful to note that this year’s meeting of the guild is coming so soon after a major political event in our country and in which the press including the radio and television played a critical role. This was the 2015 elections for which reason all sorts of predictions and doomsday scenarios were bandied about.
“Thankfully the election has come and gone relatively peacefully and Nigeria for pulling it through is now hailed by the comity of nations as a modern democracy. All Nigerians including politicians are aware of the moderating role played by the press at all levels.”
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Information, Senator Patricia Akwashiki called on journalists to report the country especially under the new administration in a positive and professional way.
The Minister represented by the Registrar of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria(APCON), Alhaji Garba Bello-Kankarofi also lauded the frontline role played by the media during the last general elections.
Earlier in his address the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors Mr. Femi Adesina noted that the body as a professional one had enhanced the career of members through trainings within and outside the country.
He added that the welfare of members had been held in high esteem, saying plans were afoot to come up with an endowment fund that would take care of editors in distress.
The NGE President also presented an audited report which showed that the body had over 200 million Naira cash at bank.
