From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged media practitioners to do their job the way it ought to be done, saying criticism of government should be done objectively and factually, adding that freedom of expression also comes with its own responsibility.
He said this at the maiden edition of THISDAY Alumni Association annual dinner, where 13 of her members, who recently completed their tour of duty in various capacities in government and political parties, were honoured.
“You can’t have freedom when that freedom is also infringing on other people’s freedom. As the minister of Information, I am always an advocate of the media playing its job the way it should be. It is important that the media holds the government accountable, no body can take that away but it’s also very important that all media practitioners have this enormous responsibility to ensure that whatever they report goes a long way in bringing us together and not in dividing us”, he said.
The minister particularly, hailed Chairman THISDAY/ARISE Media Group, Nduka Obaigbena for championing many innovations in the Nigerian media landscape.
“I thank you for everything you have done for journalism-there are so many firsts that you have championed and this is not the first one. I am not aware of any other media organisation that has this alumni association. Maybe there are, and even if there are, this is an alumni association with a difference,” Idris said.
Obaigbena, who was delighted to hear what the THISDAY Alumni Association has done in its two years of existence, noted that it was pursuing the same course as prominent politicians who transitioned from journalism to public service, such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Chief Olusegun Osoba, and others.
According to Obaigbena, about 5,000 people had passed through THISDAY since the newspaper was established over 25 years ago.
Chairman THISDAY/ARISE Media Group, who is also the President of Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), described as a fitting tribute to the public trust bestowed in the alumni that 66 of them had been given political appointments over the years.
“It is a privilege and also humbling to see the Alumni of THISDAY get together and march towards old age. That 66 of you have had political appointments is a fitting tribute to the public trust that you hold. We are just following the path of Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Lateef Jakande, Bisi Onabanjo, Segun Osoba and co, who moved from journalism to public service. And we’re all due to continue to serve for the sake of Nigeria.
“We are proud of the work you are doing and support the social services that you are doing for yourselves. As was said, we have produced ambassadors, ministers and MD of a bank and all that stuff. That is a testament to the hard-work we are doing at THISDAY and Arise and all the media groups under our belt.
We will continue to do our best for Nigeria.
“In the last election, the spokesman for Atiku was THISDAY, the spokesman for Tinubu was THISDAY, the two APC leading spokesmen were THISDAY, the PDP leading spokesmen were THISDAY. And we stayed neutral,” he said.
Obaigbena tasked the Alumni with advancing good governance for the populace and making sure that democracy stabilises when a new government takes office after the election.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the President of THISDAY Alumni, Tony Onyima, disclosed that the association was formed in June 2020 as a social cum professional body dedicated to the promotion of friendship, fellowship, professionalism, media innovation and welfare of members.
According to him, the association made a deliberate selection of 13 of its members who, in their various positions and services, demonstrated unshakable commitment, dedication, and integrity, thereby having a substantial influence and contributing to the socio-economic growth and development of Nigeria.
“Their experiences, expertise and leadership have undoubtedly shaped our nation and inspired future generations. To the honorees, we want to express our deepest admiration and respect. Your commitment to the greater good and untiring efforts make all of us proud to call our fellow alumni. Tonight, we celebrate you and your outstanding achievements,” Onyima, who was also one of the awardees, said.
The recipients included former Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdulahi; former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Thailand, Oma Djebah; Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Ali M. Ali; DG National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu; former Executive Secretary Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Waziri Adio; Enugu State Commissioner of Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Malachy Agbo and PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan.
Others were Presidential aide, Tunde Rahman; former Personal Assistant on Photography to President Buhari, Sunday Aghaeze; Director, Corporate Affairs Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Pius Ughakpotemi; the Chief Press Secretary to Ogun State Governor, Kunle Somorin and former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President of the Senate, Alhaji Yusuf Olaniyonu.
The occasion had in attendance the President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, President, representative of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anana and MD THISDAY, Eniola Bello among other dignitaries.