Information Minister, Idris, To Chair IPI Conference

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, will serve as chairman of the 2024 conference of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI).

IPI Secretary Ahmed I. Shekarau announced in a statement issued to journalists yesterday that the conference will take place on Wednesday at the Abuja Continental Hotel.

Shekarau also disclosed that the IPI Nigeria annual general meeting and members’ dinner would take place on 12 December at the same venue.

Confirming the notable figures attending the conference, Shekarau mentioned the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba; Sam Amuka Pemu, Publisher of Vanguard Newspaper; Kabiru A. Yusuf, President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN); and Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Other prominent attendees include Kole Shettima, Africa Director at the MacArthur Foundation; Hussaini Abdu, Country Director at CARE; and Nduka Obaigbena, founder of ThisDay/Arise.

Professor Tonnie Iredia is scheduled to deliver the keynote address titled “Democracy, Media Freedom and the Imperative of Protecting Nigeria’s Civic Space”, with a panel discussion moderated by Busola Ajibola. Panelists will include Waziri Adio, Garba Shehu, and Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika.

Additionally, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, Director-General of the State Security Service, will address “Dissecting the Frosty Relationship Between the Nigerian Media and Security Agencies.” Other discussions will feature key figures such as Force Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi and Funke Egbemode, former president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, will discuss the role of media collaboration in the fight against corruption.

Former minister Lai Mohammed will also speak on “Government Vs Media: How to Reduce Tension, Enhance Mutual Understanding, and Avoid Censorship.”

Shekarau noted that the conference would address the challenges facing journalism in Nigeria while offering solutions to critical issues.

The annual general meeting on 12 December will also see the Musikilu Mojeed-led IPI Nigeria executive account for its leadership activities and conduct elections for a new executive.