President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured that promoting discussions on stimulating economic growth in the country remains a central focus of his administration.
He stated this Wednesday while declaring open the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) Conference in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.
Blueprint reports that the theme of the conference is ‘Stimulating Economic Growth, Technology Advancement: Role of the Media.’
The gathering of over 300 editors, would in the next four days, be brainstorming on the sustainability of the media industry in the face of the Big Tech.
…Tinubu speaks
Represented at the event by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, the president stressed that his administration was taking all necessary measures to alleviate the pains occasioned by some strategic economic reforms.
He said: “Promoting discussions on stimulating economic growth in our country is a central focus of my administration.
“Due to the economic impact of the removal of fuel subsidy, our Administration has been taking all necessary measures to alleviate the resulting pain, through interventions that are designed to serve as palliatives in the short and medium term.
“While we await the long-term benefits of these reforms, some of our interventions include: A provisional wage increment of N35, 000 monthly for six months, to augment the federal minimum wage, without causing undue inflation.
“Establishment of an Infrastructure Support Fund for States to invest in critical areas that will create an enabling environment for businesses Launch of a 100 Billion Naira CNG bus rollout programme, to deliver CNG-powered buses, and establishment of a Presidential Committee to drive implementation.
“The signing of no fewer than five Executive Orders, aimed at improving Nigeria’s business and fiscal environment, and increasing foreign exchange supply.
“Deft moves by the Central Bank of Nigeria to clear the billions of dollars in inherited foreign exchange backlog. We saw the immediate impact of this on the exchange rates, which halted the downward slide of the Naira, and we are confident that this is just the beginning.
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Central Bank is determined to focus on its core mandates of price stability and fiscal stability, for the benefit of all Nigerians. Establishment of a Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee to reform the tax system while also reducing the tax burden on Nigerians.
“The Committee recently presented its first set of reform proposals— ‘Quick Wins’ to the President, and Nigerians can rest assured that they will be implemented.
“I must emphasize that one of the primary mandates of the Committee is to reduce the tax burdens and complications faced by Nigerians.
“With the signing into law of the 2023 Supplementary Budget, we have finalized the process for payment of a monthly Cash Transfer of N25, 000 each to 15 million of the poorest and most vulnerable households in Nigeria, for three months.
“A presidential directive for the release of 200,000 metric tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households across the 36 states and FCT to moderate prices, and 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, seedlings and other inputs to farmers,” he said.
President Tinubu also noted that to realise all the lofty economic goals for Nigeria’s prosperity, his administration needed the collaborative efforts of the media.
He appealed to the editors to be vigilant and help in ridding the media space of the ills of fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information, which could pose great danger to the nation.
“We will seek to collectively reorient ourselves as Nigerians, in the direction of a stronger sense of national identity and shared values. I will therefore appeal to our editors to support the campaign for moral rectitude among Nigerians.
“As you are aware, we are faced with the proliferation of misinformation, disinformation, and false narratives which threaten the fabric of our society, and it is our collective duty to combat this menace.
“Through fact-checking, responsible reporting, promoting media and digital literacy, we can fortify our defenses against the corrosive effects of fake news.
“Let me restate the commitment of our administration to a free and robust media without any intention to stifle press freedom.
“We will expect you to operate within the framework of the ethics of journalism and to conduct your activities with the utmost sense of duty, patriotism, and responsibility,” Tinubu added.
…Akwa Ibom governor
On his part, Akwa Ibom state Governor Umo Eno commended the Nigerian editors for their robust role in demanding good governance by taking grave risks to see to the deepening of our democratic culture and traditions.
Eno, who tasked the media to uphold ethics of journalism noted that “If there is the constant drib-drib of negative reportage, where the challenges of the process of our nation-building are overly magnified and our symbols of authority, randomly demonized and our potentials routinely talked down on, despite how large such a market may be, foreign investors will be wary of coming in such a volatile environment.”
…NGE president’s remarks
In his welcome remarks, the President of NGE, Mr Eze Anaba noted that the conference was an essential part of the editors’ contributions to the growth and development of not only the media industry but Nigeria in general.
“The annual conference of the Guild is a forum that attracts the brightest minds in different fields of human endeavour as Speakers, discussants, and special guests, and which has, over the years, been a veritable tool, in setting agenda, and expanding the frontiers of the rule of law, human rights, good governance and development,” he added.
Eze further said: “A matter of concern to many in the nation today is the state of the Nigerian economy. The economy is in dire situation, and the new administration should continue to grapple with the situation while pushing out policies for a turnaround.
“All hands must therefore be on deck in the task of reversing the trend to improve the economic situation and the well-being of Nigerians.”
Amuka
Earlier in his remarks, the chairman of the occasion and publisher of Vanguard newspapers, Uncle Sam Amaka, had said “the future in online and online is here now.”
While stressing the danger of fake news, the veteran journalist cautioned media practitioners that “in trying to break the news, don’t break the fabric of the society.”
