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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 arrests.
The president, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, stated this in a message delivered on his behalf at the centenary (100 years) celebration of the Daily Times of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday, where the Nigerian Grand Book was also launched.
He commended the newspaper for its contributions to journalism and national development over the past 100 years.
The president, however, stated that his administration recognised the critical role of the media in shaping the destiny of the nation and remained committed to freedom of the press in line with the provisions of the Constitution. “Under this government, you can insult, attack the president, and still go to bed without midnight knocks,” he said.
Tinubu said the principle was central to his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that the government’s reforms were designed not merely to alter policies, but to change the trajectory of the Nigerian 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.
The president described the centenary as a testament to endurance, relevance, and institutional resilience, stressing that the Daily Times had not only reported Nigeria’s history but had also played an important role as an analyst and catalyst in the country’s development.
He noted that from the colonial era and the struggle for independence to the First Republic, nation-building efforts, and the current democratic era, the newspaper had documented the personalities, events, and aspirations that shaped Nigeria’s national journey.
The president also described the Nigerian Grand Book as an important companion to the centenary, noting that a nation that understood its history could learn from its setbacks and confidently design its future.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s present challenges did not emerge overnight, noting that many were rooted in structural weaknesses that had accumulated over decades.
“Hence, national renewal requires the courage to understand the country’s past, confront what had held it back and make difficult but necessary choices about its future. History should not be treated as a ‘museum of yesterday’ but as an instrument of engineering tomorrow,” he said.
He said the Nigerian Grand Book provided an opportunity for Nigerians to tell their own story and recognise the contributions of citizens who had helped build the country.
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Tinubu listed entrepreneurs, farmers, scientists, public servants, artists, innovators, and community-minded citizens among those whose contributions deserved to be remembered.
He said one of the responsibilities of leadership was to preserve the lessons of the past while creating conditions for the next generation to achieve more.
The president also stressed the importance of national identity, social cohesion, and the preservation of collective memory, describing Nigeria’s diversity as one of the country’s greatest assets.
He urged Nigerians to transform their differences into strength rather than division, saying the country could achieve more when its diverse peoples worked towards a common purpose.
Looking ahead, Tinubu said the question Nigerians should ask was not only what the country had been, but what it could become in the next 100 years.
He warned of the implications of Nigeria’s projected population growth, noting that the country’s population could reach about 450 million by 2050, with significant consequences for food security, water, and other essential resources.
He said his administration was committed to building an economy that created opportunities rather than dependency, institutions that commanded confidence, and infrastructure that connected communities and markets.
The president added that the ultimate goal was to create a society where every Nigerian had an opportunity to contribute to national prosperity.
He commended the Chairman of the Daily Times, Fidelis Anosike, the newspaper’s management, and everyone involved in producing the Nigerian Grand Book for what he described as a historic contribution to preserving Nigeria’s national heritage.
Tinubu restated that 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.
He urged Nigerians to see the next chapter of the country’s history as a collective responsibility, calling for courage, unity, innovation, and patriotism. “May the Nigeria of tomorrow be more prosperous, more secure, more competitive, and more united than the Nigeria we inherited,” the president said.
He congratulated the Daily Times on its centenary and recommended the Nigerian Grand Book to schools, libraries, institutions, and future generations.
He also expressed hope that the Daily Times would continue to thrive for another 100 years and beyond, while Nigeria would continue to rise.
