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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to press freedom, declaring that Nigerians can criticise or attack him without fear of harassment or midnight arrest.
He said his government recognised the media’s critical role in shaping Nigeria’s destiny and would continue to uphold freedom of expression and the press as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, spoke in Abuja, yesterday, at the centenary celebration of the Daily Times of Nigeria, where the Nigerian Grand Book was also launched.
“Under this government, you can insult, attack the President and still go to bed without midnight knocks,” he said.
He said respect for fundamental freedoms remained important to the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that his administration’s reforms were intended not merely to alter policies but to change the trajectory of the economy and society.
“The reforms seek to build a stronger fiscal foundation, create a more productive economy, strengthen institutions, attract investment, improve infrastructure, expand opportunities for young Nigerians and position the country to compete more effectively in the global economy,” he said.
Tinubu described the Daily Times centenary as a testament to endurance, relevance and institutional resilience, saying the newspaper had not only reported Nigeria’s history but had also served as an analyst and catalyst in the country’s development.
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He said the newspaper documented personalities, events and aspirations that shaped Nigeria from the colonial era and independence struggle through the First Republic, nation-building years and current democratic dispensation.
The President described the Nigerian Grand Book as an important companion to the centenary, arguing that knowledge of history was critical to national development. “A nation that forgets its history is doomed to repeat its mistakes. But a nation that understands its history can grow with it, learn from its setbacks and confidently design its future.” Tinubu said Nigeria’s current challenges did not emerge overnight but resulted from structural weaknesses accumulated over decades.
National renewal, he said, required courage to understand the past, confront longstanding problems and make difficult but necessary choices about the future.
He warned about the implications of Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, which he said could reach about 450 million by 2050, with consequences for food security, water and other essential resources.
Tinubu said his administration was committed to building an economy that created opportunities rather than dependency, institutions that commanded public confidence and infrastructure that connected communities and markets.
He commended Chairman of Daily Times, Fidelis Anosike, its management and others involved in producing the Nigerian Grand Book.
“The Federal Government recognises the media not only as an instrument of information and accountability but also as a custodian of national memory. Daily Times has fulfilled that responsibility for a century,” he said.
