President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated that Nigeria has successfully recovered from a precarious situation.
This assertion was made during his engagement with the leadership of the Nigerian media at the State House in Abuja, which included representatives from various organizations such as the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists.
The President praised media proprietors, editors, and journalists for their dedication to informing and educating the populace while also providing employment opportunities for many Nigerians.
President Tinubu emphasized the necessity of taking responsible action as leaders, stating that failing to make timely decisions equates to failure.
He recognized the difficult yet essential choices his administration had to make to prevent the nation from financial collapse, saying, "Leadership must, as a matter of responsibility, make decisions at the best time. Yes, I accepted my predecessor’s assets and liabilities because I applied for the job and was given the job. So I have to do it. But if anybody tells you it’s easy, it’s a lie. I thank you for your criticism at the beginning of the administration. You challenged me. Thank you for inspiring and challenging me at a critical moment in my life."
"But having asked for the job and got it, I can’t look back other than to make corrections as I move along. We had to save the nation and bring it back from the brink. Can you imagine a nation that owes airlines for ticket reimbursements and faces galloping exchange rates and inflation?
"Today, I can stand proudly before you and say that we are back from the brink," he added.
Addressing requests related to tariffs impacting the media sector, President Tinubu stated, "We discussed issues of tariffs this afternoon. What I cannot report back here is whether I took action in the areas that affect you. But if I missed that, I will go back to rectifying whatever was necessary."
He acknowledged the media's constructive feedback, affirming that as an avid reader of Nigerian newspapers, he welcomes all inputs in good faith since everyone desires the best for Nigeria.
Additionally, President Tinubu urged the media to demand accountability and progress from other levels of government, highlighting that federal reform policies have provided more resources to the states.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, expressed confidence in the President’s capability and visionary leadership, assuring that the Nigerian media holds high expectations for the administration to guide the nation towards sustainable development.
He encouraged media professionals to continue fulfilling their constitutional obligations thoughtfully while ensuring the government remains accountable to the populace.
Aremo Olusegun Osoba, the Grand Patron of NPAN, commended President Tinubu for implementing transformative policies aimed at revitalizing the nation's economy.
He praised the establishment of the Nigeria Revenue Service and the National Single Window policy, which are seen as vital for enhancing the nation's revenue streams.
Osoba also recognized the President for urging governors to utilize the funds received from federal allocations to better the lives of citizens in their states.
Mr. Frank Aigbogun, president of the Nigeria Press Organisation and publisher of BusinessDay newspapers, lauded President Tinubu for fostering a positive relationship with the media and called for action regarding import tariffs on newsprint and broadcasting equipment.
Aigbogun also highlighted the need for federal intervention to safeguard journalist jobs in Nigeria and the overall industry from major tech corporations that utilize Nigerian media content without proper compensation.
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