President Bola Tinubu says he has signed five executive orders so far to stimulate the economy for growth and attract foreign investment.
President Tinubu made this known in a message to the 19th All Nigeria Editors Conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The President, who was represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammed Idris Malagi, congratulated the Nigeria Guild of Editors for choosing a relevant theme, Stimulating Economic Growth, Technological Advancement: Role of the Media”, for the conference.
He noted that the views expressed at the event were the views of the president, ” saying, ” government is doing all it can to cushion the effects of the removal of oil subsidy, check undue inflation and has launched some power buses among others “.
Speaking in his capacity, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammed Idris Malagi, pledged to restore thee trust and confidence of the public on information managers, ” as such I promised to say only what is true and factual “.
” I urge you to write only what is true and protect the integrity your profession “.
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, on Wednesday, urged journalists to engender good governance in their news reportage to advance Nigeria’s democracy.
“In trying to break the news, don’t break the fabrics of the society. We need the society,” you have to have a country to call your own if you must report “. Eno said
The governor said: “I want to plead that you use engender as a new template of reportage, one that is development-oriented, where our leaders are called to account without being overly obtrusive. “
” You need the nation first in order to freely practice your profession.”
He noted that his administration was open to constructive criticisms and committed to driving a narrative of governance focused on making the state residents to reap dividends of democracy and build trust in government.
Eno appreciated the media for supporting his administration and praised President Bola Tinubu for his efforts so far in governance, and prayed God to guide him.
“In the process, there will be fulfilment of the dreams of our founding fathers to have a powerful, united and prosperous nation,” he said.
Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River, called on the Federal Government to urgently evolve measures to regulate social media to tackle misinformation and disinformation.
Represented by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Erasmus Ekpang, Otu said that social media had been misused to a large extent.
The governor described mass media as indispensable for societal development.
“The media should indulge more in critical analysis of issues instead of merely praising policymakers
”We can see that the media holds a critical place in our national development; the media should be reliable and trustworthy,” he said.
The governor further urged the mass media to propagate ideas that would stimulate economic recovery.
”The economy of every nation has direct bearing on the well-being of the citizenry; so, a prosperous economy will definitely breed a prosperous citizenry,” he said.
Otu expressed worry at under investment in agriculture and small and medium scale enterprises.
”With adequate investment in agriculture, the level of poverty in the country will reduce.
Earlier, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr Eze Anaba, on Wednesday urged NGE members to do more to promote citizens’ access to information.
Anaba who made the appeal in an address of welcome at the Editors Conference, said, that access to information would enhance participatory democracy and encourage good governance.
“Without access to information, this form of governance is not possible.
“Information creates the opportunity to discuss a range of available options and to take part in meaningful public policy discussions and informed political debates.
“Information allows the public to hold a government accountable by creating a public awareness of the government’s conduct.
“It is for this reason that the theme of this year’s annual conference is: “Stimulating Economic Growth, Technological Advancement: Role of the Media,” he said.
Anaba said that about 300 media executives and senior editors are attending the conference.
He said that the conference would also examine Nigerian media sustainability, the existential threat of the Big Tech and the way forward.
The NGE president urged editors and other media professionals to ensure balanced, accurate, factual and timely news reporting, which he described as the hallmark of journalism.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and Publisher of the Vanguard newspaper, Mr Sam Amuka, described journalists as the conscience of the society, and warned against publishing fake news.
He said, “You must always publish the truth. “
Mr Muda Yusuf, the immediate past Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called on the mass media to stimulate discussions that would grow Nigeria’s economy.
Yusuf made the call while talking on the theme: ‘Stimulating Economic Growth, Technological Advancement: Role of the Media’
Yusuf noted, that Nigeria is facing decline in reserves, lack of investor confidence and currency volatility, among other challenges.
”Well thought-out reform measures are crucial at this point, we cannot wish this away,” he said.
He said that Nigerian media had a crucial role to play in tackling the challenges.
”Nigeria is in dire need of economic reforms going by the level of poverty in the country.
”Statistics shows that, as at 2022, 60 per cent of Nigerians were already facing multi-dimensional poverty,” he said.
According him, it is important for the media to be proactive in holding governments to account.
”It is good to indulge in economic reforms, the most important thing is the well-being of the people,” he said.
Yusuf said that the media had a role to play in ensuring that reforms would be effectively implemented in the interest of the citizenry.
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