Media Should Be Recognised As 4th Arm Of Government – Kebbi Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff to Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi, Alhaji Attahiru Maccido, has called for the media to be recognised as the fourth arm of government, saying its role in promoting and sustaining democratic principles and tenets cannot be overemphasised.

“The media played a vital role in restoring democracy in Nigeria, especially during the military era, an effort many politicians should not ignore or forget. Many journalists paid a heavy price for the restoration of democracy in this country. Therefore, the media should be made an arm of government constitutionally, not just the fourth estate of the realm,” Maccido said on Monday at the maiden public lecture organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Birnin Kebbi in collaboration with the office of the Special Adviser to Kebbi State Governor on Public Enlightenment and Orientation.

Maccido commended the chapel for its professionalism and adherence to journalistic ethics despite numerous challenges encountered in the line of duty.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, who represented Governor Nasir Idris, stated that the present administration has continued to enhance the well-being of the people.

“The Correspondents’ Chapel has been part and parcel of the struggle to entrench democracy in Nigeria.

The Kebbi State Government commends journalists for their positive role in sustaining good governance and public enlightenment,” he said.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Yahaya Sarki, lauded the chapel for organising the maiden lecture, describing it as timely, educative, and a significant milestone.

“A vibrant media landscape remains a major pillar of every thriving democracy. Kebbi State continues to uphold press freedom under Governor Idris. The administration operates an open-door policy that guarantees freedom of speech, access to information, and respect for journalistic independence,” he said.

The Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ, Alhaji Kabiru Wurma, described the chapel as the lifeblood of the NUJ, noting that it comprises professionally trained journalists representing various national newspapers, radio stations, and television stations.

The lecture, themed “Media, Democracy and Good Governance”, was presented by Dr Abdullahi Sani, from the Department of European Language and Literacy Studies, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi.