The Minister of Info and Nationwide Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the media play a vital function in shaping public notion and driving citizen participation within the battle towards corruption.
The minister mentioned this at a one-day workshop organised by the Impartial Corrupt Practices and different Associated Offences Fee (ICPC) in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja on Thursday.
He described the theme of the engagement, “Re-invigorating the Nationwide Anti-corruption Technique,” as well timed and important, requiring sustained media engagement and accountable journalism.
The minister, represented by the Director-Basic of Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace, mentioned fashionable management required strategic engagement with the media.
He underscored the vital function of media-government partnerships in selling transparency and combating corruption within the nation.
He recommended the ICPC chairman for strengthening transparency and institutional visibility by way of media partnership.
“Within the twenty first century, no fashionable chief can afford to not lead from the entrance, and no fashionable chief can afford to steer with out partnering with the media,” he mentioned.
He described newsmen as a few of the most loyal companions any establishment may have, stressing that their dedication to skilled excellence helps counter misinformation and strengthen nationwide discourse.
He additionally warned towards the rising problem of pretend information and misinformation, urging journalists to uphold skilled requirements in an period the place social media platforms enabled unverified data to flow into extensively.
“We’re in an age of noise, misinformation and disinformation However professionals like these gathered right here stay the buffers who make sure that credible data prevails,” he mentioned.
He mentioned the Federal Ministry of Info and Nationwide Orientation’s five-pillar communication agenda targeted on restoring public belief, amplifying authorities insurance policies, reorienting nationwide values, modernising expertise and constructing innovation throughout the media ecosystem.
The chairman of ICPC, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, in his tackle of welcome referred to as for stronger collaboration between the media and anti-graft establishments
He mentioned the media remained one of the highly effective forces in holding leaders accountable and safeguarding transparency in governance.
Aliyu described the assembly as a continuation of institutional dialogue geared toward strengthening the partnership between anti-corruption businesses and the media.
He recalled that the workshop adopted an earlier engagement held in October 2024 and recommended the NUJ for its sustained dedication to professionalism and reality in journalism.
Aliyu mentioned the workshop was designed not merely as a dialogue discussion board however as a strategic platform for producing sensible concepts and strengthening institutional cooperation forward of the following part of Nigeria’s Nationwide Anti-Corruption Technique.
He mentioned that journalists occupied a pivotal place in shaping nationwide accountability and civic duty.
“The media stays one of the highly effective devices within the battle towards corruption. As journalists, you aren’t merely observers, you’re watchdogs, agenda-setters and catalysts for reform,” he mentioned.
The Managing Director of the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali Mohammad Ali, in his goodwill message mentioned journalists had an important function to play within the nation’s battle towards corruption.
Represented by his Particular Assistant on Editorial Issues, Mr Ephraim Sheyin, Ali mentioned journalists have been well-positioned to deal with corruption, given their constitutional function and historical past of investigative reporting.
Ali highlighted challenges dealing with journalists to incorporate insufficient whistle-blower protections, threats of non-public hurt, and restricted entry to data.
The occasion introduced collectively NUJ Council chairmen and stakeholders from throughout the nation.(NAN)