Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of the press,and ensure a sustainable and beneficial tax reforms.
Idris gave these assurances yesterday while speaking at the 2024 Annual General Congress of the International Press Institute of Nigeria (IPI).
He underscored the government’s dedication to ensuring media freedom, even amid growing concerns over the unlawful detention of journalists under the current administration.
Idris’ remarks came at a time when several journalists have faced illegal arrests, including the recent detention of the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) by the Nigerian Army.
The journalist was later regain freedom following widespread calls for his release.
Similarly, Adejuwon Soyinka, a journalist with The Conversation Africa, was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Lagos, among other reported incidents.
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Addressing these concerns, Idris emphasised that the President Bola Tinubu led administration had consistently asserted its commitment to safeguarding press freedom.
“Every time there has appeared to be a threat to this freedom, I have personally taken it upon myself to ensure that due process prevails and that the fundamental rights of the press are respected,” he stated.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey, which began a quarter of a century ago, Idris praised the role of the press in maintaining a vibrant and resilient democracy.
He highlighted the Nigerian media’s unwavering boldness and its historical role in challenging colonial rule and military dictatorship, eventually contributing to the establishment of the Fourth Republic in 1999.
Idris noted that since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, there has been a clear commitment to fostering media freedom.
“The President is a firm believer in media freedom and the protection of Nigeria’s civic space,” Idris said, recalling Tinubu’s previous involvement in the pro-democracy movement.
He further stressed that media freedom is essential for a healthy democracy, where diverse views and debates can flourish.
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Idris stressed the importance of mutual respect and responsibility within the civic space, urging all stakeholders to uphold the integrity of public discourse.
He called for a balance between the right to freedom of expression and the responsibility to avoid the abuse of power, particularly by the press in shaping public opinion.
On the proposed tax reforms,the minister explained that these tax reforms were part of broader macroeconomic changes aimed at converting trillions of Naira previously lost to wasteful and mismanaged subsidy programmes into valuable savings.
These savings, he said, will now be redirected to finance critical sectors of the economy, including high-impact physical and digital infrastructure, student loans, low-cost consumer credit, agricultural production, and targeted social investments.
These foundational initiatives, Idris argued, were key to building a prosperous nation that can no longer be ignored on the global stage.
Idris reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s vision of an inclusive Nigeria, where every citizen—whether young or old, male or female, student or retiree, farmer or digital worker—stands to benefit from the country’s economic revival.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is about ensuring that no one is left behind,” he affirmed, emphasising that the reforms are designed to unlock enduring prosperity for all Nigerians.
