A coalition, Civil Society Groups on Transparency and Accountability, has hailed the Ministry of Information and National Orientation for its initiative in organising the ministerial press briefing to keep Nigerians informed about the pragmatic efforts of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
He said the initiative would boost accountability in governance.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja yesterday, the trio of Comrade Igwe Ude-Umanta, the coalition programme director; Comrade Danesi Momoh, national coordinator, Empowerment for Unemployed You Initiative; and Ambassador Solomon Adodo, convener, Rising-Up for a United Nigeria; the CSOs described the “initiative as laudable, timely and a strategic national engagement programme.”
The groups said they were in alignment with the shared objectives of promoting transparency, accountability, decency and hygiene in the public space. “We have been worried about the rising national tension arising from high inflation and the consequent skyrocketing food prices, and a general high cost of living,” he noted.
Momoh said they had undertaken an independent study and reviewed the situation, including convoking a National Civil Society Roundtable to discuss the national economy, with particular reference to the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration.
He said in that programme which was held between January 31 and February 1, 2024 in Abuja, “we issued a communique acknowledging the pervading hardship in the country, but lauded the reforms which if handled with honesty and dexterously will transform the economy.
“While we have noted the various efforts of the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi to keep Nigerians informed in the most honest and decent way, his particular decision to come up with a Ministerial Press Briefing is the most commendable initiative. Nigerians need information to navigate this difficult period; even if it is just to keep their hopes alive”.
The coalition observed that, the first Ministerial Press Briefing which featured the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, marked an important epoch in critical engagement and information dissemination as far as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration is concerned, adding further that the huge media presence and dignitaries in attendance underscores the strategic importance of the programme both for the government and Nigerians at large.
“The inaugural briefing which featured the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON was scintillating and very engaging as programmes, policies and ideas met with media scrutiny. The minister, apart from giving out very important interrogatable information, also received very important feedback which will in no means reshape the strategies of the ministry as it works towards achieving sustainable food security in the country.
“We were also informed that tomorrow, Friday February 16, 2024, the Ministerial Press Briefing will feature the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite. Certainly, featuring two Ministers in the inaugural week of the programme and within a space of two days emphasises the significance of the ministerial press briefing at a period which we must admit, is an unusual one in the life of our country.
“By this arrangement, every ministry will give account of its activities, programmes and policies. Deception will therefore, not be condoned as we shall track every information shared with Nigerians and uncover any form of deception and half-truths. It is also our duty to call out underperforming ministries at the appropriate time because there is no room for ineptitude and unproductivity at this critical time in our national life”, the group added.
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