Media Critical In Building Nigeria’s Democratic Culture – Bala Mohammed

Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed has commended the Nigerian media for helping to build a democratic culture and institutions in the discharge of its constitutional responsibility.

The governor spoke in Abuja yesterday when he chaired a public presentation of a book on the role of the “Media and Nigeria’s Constitutional Democracy: Threat, Constraints and Resilience” organised by the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought.

Bala Mohammed who performed the dual roles as the chairman and chief presenter of the book was represented at the event by his special adviser on media and publicity, Comrade Mukhtar Gidado.

He thanked the organisers, authors and editors of the book for a well researched scholarly endeavour which has a direct practical bearing on media development and the Nigerian democracy.

The governor reminded the gathering how the media supports the sustenance of our current democratic enterprise; how politicians relate to the media while in office ; and the problematic relationship between politics , politicians and the media when their interests diverge.  He further lamented that the current debate in Nigeria regarding the place of the media in Nigeria’s democratic transformation and consolidation relate to the role of the media in empowering civic spaces and strengthening democratic governance and the challenges the media face in engaging in such undertakings.

“It is a known fact that politicians can sometimes be excessive in trying to constrain the media and in turn the media, especially in this age of new and social media, can be excessive, intolerant and volatile in defence of its space or territory,” he said.

He called on practitioners of both domains to continually advocate for dialogue which will stimulate understanding, tolerance, respect and the spirit of give and take for the greater public good.

In his concluding remarks, Governor Bala Mohammed called on politicians, journalists and other Nigerians to make good use of the book and cautioned practitioners to shun bias reporting of events and remain steadfast with their professional calling.

Earlier in his welcome address, the chief host, Dr Sam Amadi  applauded Governor Bala Mohammed for his media friendly disposition.

Amadi analyzed how the media is navigating Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria and its democracy.  He said despite its constitutional role, recognisable as the fourth estate of the realm, the Nigerian media has a history of confronting daunting challenges headlong.

The book written by Paul Obi was reviewed by Professor Abiodun Adeniyi and the event was attended by renowned politicians, diplomats and media practitioners.