Ola Williams-
The Nigerian government has commended the peaceful and successful conduct of elections by the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, expressed his congratulations in a statement on Sunday, praising the smooth leadership transitions within the unions.
“I wish to congratulate Messrs Muskilu Mojeed, Chief Executive Officer of Premium Times, and Ahmed Shekarau, Managing Director of Media Trust, on their re-election as President and Secretary, respectively, alongside four other officers of IPI Nigeria,” Idris stated.
He also lauded the NUJ for its inclusive leadership structure, which saw Malam Alhassan Yahaya emerge as President and Abimbola Oyetunde make history as the union’s first female Deputy National President.
“The election of the new NUJ leadership reflects the evolving dynamics and inclusivity within the union, affirming its status as a leading professional body in Nigeria,” Idris added.
The minister extended gratitude to the Imo State government for hosting the NUJ elections, highlighting their support and hospitality as critical to the event’s success.
Idris called on both the NUJ and IPI to uphold journalistic integrity and ethical practices.
“As defenders of truth, the media must prioritize integrity and accountability in their work. I encourage both unions to ensure that their members uphold the highest standards of journalism for the betterment of our democracy,” he said.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to press freedom, Idris assured journalists of an enabling environment for independent and responsible reporting.
“We will continue to protect the fundamental rights of the press, ensuring a conducive environment for free, fair, and responsible journalism to thrive in Nigeria,” he emphasized.
The IPI, a global network of journalists, editors, and media executives, is dedicated to defending press freedom and advancing independent journalism worldwide.
