Tinubu Focused On Media Welfare, Reviewing Industry Concerns – Idris

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is prioritising the welfare of the media and is actively reviewing issues raised by industry stakeholders with a view to strengthening their operations.

Idris spoke after visiting the President at his Lagos residence, revealing that one of the first issues Tinubu raised during their meeting was the state of the media, particularly following a recent engagement with media executives in Abuja.

“All I can say is that Mr President has the media on his mind. One of the first questions he asked me was how the media is faring, especially as regards the meeting we had last with media executives in Abuja a couple of weeks ago,” the minister said.

He explained that several concerns were raised during the Abuja meeting and that the President is giving them serious consideration.

“A number of issues were raised, and Mr President is looking at them passionately. He has asked me for my input. I have given him, and he is going to take the final decision on how he can help the media to do its work better,” Idris stated.

The minister also conveyed the President’s message to Nigerians, stressing that Tinubu is paying close attention to public sentiment and developments across the country.

“He has also called on me to inform Nigerians that he is indeed listening to them, all the observations about what is happening in the country. Mr President is listening; he’s a keen watcher of events,” he said.

According to Idris, the President urged citizens to reflect deeply on the nation’s future and demonstrate greater patriotism.

“As the Commander-in-Chief, he has asked Nigerians to once again come together, reflect, think deeply about Nigeria, and be more patriotic,” he added.

On security, the minister said the issue remains uppermost in the President’s agenda, particularly following his recent visit to Jos.

“He just came back from Jos, and security is uppermost in his mind. He keeps talking and discussing with the security agencies on how we can find a lasting solution and ensure that we bring lasting peace to our country,” Idris said.

He further disclosed that the President is encouraged by positive feedback from international development partners and financial institutions.

“He is also happy with some of the reports he has been getting from international development partners and international finance agencies. They are all giving Nigeria a pass mark. Everybody is seeing that Nigeria is working in the interest of Nigerians and Nigeria is finding its place in the committee of nations once again,” he noted.

Idris said the President remains committed to ensuring that ongoing reforms yield tangible benefits for citizens.

“These are all things that Mr President is very happy with, and he will continue to work to make sure that reforms actually take hold for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.

Speaking on regional security cooperation, the minister underscored the importance of Nigeria’s partnership with neighbouring countries, particularly Chad, in combating terrorism.

“It is very significant because Nigeria is fighting terrorism. Terrorism has no borders, especially with the issues happening in the Sahel. It is almost impossible for Nigeria to act alone,” he said.

He described Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno’s recent visit to Abuja as timely and strategic.

“The visit of President Déby to Abuja to see Mr President on the same day that he went to Jos is very significant. A number of issues were discussed on how cooperation can be further deepened between Nigeria and Chad, and also with our neighbours, to ensure that all the security challenges in the Sahel are curtailed,” Idris added.

The minister stressed that without such collaboration, tackling insecurity would be difficult.

“Without that, it will become almost impossible for us to fight insecurity,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria is also strengthening ties with global partners, including the European Union, the United Nations, the United States and the United Kingdom, to address security challenges.

“Even when the President went to the UK, security was top on the agenda. A number of issues relating to how Nigeria will solve insecurity once and for all were discussed,” he said.

Idris added that despite the Easter period, the President remains actively engaged in governance.

“So these are all things the President is looking at. Even as he is taking the Easter break, it is also a working Easter for the President as he continues to think about Nigeria.

“He will continue to work to ensure that all the promises made to Nigerians are actually delivered,” the minister said.