Vice President Kashim Shettima has cautioned Nigerian media practitioners against the growing tendency to romanticise serious national issues, describing the trend as a dangerous departure from the media’s constitutional duty of promoting truth and accountability.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Modibbo Umar, the Vice President issued the warning on Tuesday while delivering a speech at the 17th LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards held at the Old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

“We must resist the temptation to romanticise serious national issues or frame them in ways that distort public understanding,” Shettima said. “Doing so only weakens the fabric of our democracy and derails our collective efforts at nation-building.”

The Vice President’s remarks came as stakeholders in governance, business, and civil society gathered to reflect on the theme of the event, “Challenges and Opportunities in Nigeria’s Fiscal Federalism.” The conference provided a platform for thoughtful engagement on some of the country’s most pressing issues, with a focus on the responsibilities of leadership at all levels.

Shettima also used the occasion to commend LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group for its consistent contributions to national discourse and its commitment to celebrating excellence in leadership.

“I commend LEADERSHIP Newspaper for the vision to convene this vital discourse and for shining the light on those who have chosen to lead with courage and competence. May we never tire of striving for a better Nigeria,” he said.

The annual LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards continues to be a major event that brings together influential voices to deliberate on national progress and honour individuals and institutions making meaningful impact in society.

The Federal Government has commended the media for the effective coverage of the ongoing Ministerial Sectoral Update to mark the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris gave the commendation in an opening remark on day-three of the sectoral update on Friday in Abuja.

The event is organised by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

According to Idris, the event gives the media the opportunity to engage the ministers and seek clarification on policies and programmes of the Federal Government.

“Today is the continuation of the sectoral briefing that we are getting from the various ministries.

“Yesterday, about seven ministers were here to present before you, not just their vision, but also their achievements, in the last one year of the Tinubu’s administration.

“Let me thank the distinguished members of the media for all that you have done. We have seen an extensive coverage of the proceedings here yesterday and the day before.

“You have the opportunity to ask questions, make comments and useful contributions to this briefing going on,” Idris stressed.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the morning session is expected to have presentations from the Ministries of Health, Justice, Police Affairs, Power and Works.

The Ministers of Women’s Affairs, Agriculture and Food Security, Water Resources and Foreign Affairs will feature in the afternoon session.

(NAN)

NHRC reaffirms commitment to protecting press freedom

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Tony Ojukwu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the commission to safeguard press freedom as a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of any democracy.

He also assured of the promotion and protection of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians including the right to freedom of expression and the press in all circumstances.

In a message to mark the 2024 World Press Freedom Day, Ojukwu noted that he premised his assurance on the provisions of the NHRC Act 1995 (as amended), wherein the Commission is mandated to deal with all matters relating to the promotion and protection of human rights guaranteed by all the Constitution of Nigeria and human rights legal instruments to which Nigeria is a party.

He highlighted the crucial role played by journalists in birthing and defending democracy, projecting government policies, providing critical information that benefits the masses and even holding government accountable to its responsibilities.

Ojukwu noted that journalists in Nigeria face numerous challenges ranging from intimidation, unlawful arrests, attacks and even deaths.

According to him, these unfortunate incidents undermine the journalists’ ability to carry out their work effectively.

He added that the 2024 theme for World Press Freedom Day “A Press for the Planet: Journalists in the Face of the Environmental Crisis” was apt.

He noted that journalists and the media work tirelessly for the survival of the earth and where the earth is in environmental crisis, journalists also face environmental crisis and must see how they can contribute to resolving the environmental crisis in which they work.

The executive secretary urged stakeholders to join hands with the Commission in the fight to protect and promote press freedom in Nigeria.

The World Press Freedom is marked annually on May 3.

(NAN)