Contrary to expectations, former Editor and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, who was recently appointed as Special Adviser on Communication, Strategy and Special Duties by President Bola Tinubu was not named as the Minister of Information in the newly constituted federal cabinet.
While Alake was named the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mohammed Idris Malagi was appointed as the Minister of Information and National Orientation.
Based on his profile and experience in the media industry, Malagi is eminently qualified to head the ministry assigned to him.
He is a publisher and public relations professional with relevant experience as the founder/chairman and publisher of Blueprint. He is also the chairman of Abuja based Kings Broadcasting Limited, owners of WE 106.5 FM Abuja, Nigeria and was the general secretary of Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria.
His choice has been commended by the various professional groups and stakeholders who have urged him to live up to expectations.
Good enough the Minister has promised that the ministry will be open, transparent and accountable to Nigerians.
“There will be no hold back here, everything you want to know, you will get to know. Please ask your question, we will let you know. If you don’t understand, go and seek clarification. If we are wrong, we will apologize. We must ensure that transparency is the watch word in this ministry,” he said when he resumed duties.
We urge the new minister to ensure free flow of information between the government and the citizens as he has promised to earn the trust eroded by the last administration.
READ ALSO: Vanguard GM/EIC retires after 37 years service
He should avoid indulging in propaganda instead of providing concrete evidence of achievements of the administration.
In accordance with democratic principles, Malagi must ensure that the government guarantees freedom of expression without any attempt to abuse media freedom by security agencies.
As the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) advised, the administration should take swift and deliberate actions to improve conditions for the press in Nigeria and ensure justice is delivered for attacks on the press.
The Tinubu government should also heed the counsel to reform legislation and regulations to prevent the jailing and surveillance of journalists. It should also ensure undisrupted access to the internet, online platforms, and news websites.
The unresolved issue of the role of the Nigeria Press Council between the government and the NPAN over how to monitor the performance of the print media should be settled.
The media agencies of the government are in a mess because of lack of funds. They should be properly funded for optimum service.
He needs to rebrand these agencies to rebuild the confidence of citizens through accurate and reliable information.
Federal character should not be used to employ into government media organisations. For efficiency, it should be done based on competence rather than political reward for relatives of politicians.
National Orientation Agency should be made it to be truly functional as citizens require serious orientation for our nation to excel.
Curbing fake news and ensuring developmental journalism should be of utmost priority among others.
Curbing fake news and ensuring developmental journalism should be of utmost priority among others.
