FG committed to press freedom – Adeshina

Lagos – The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adeshina, has assured media practitioners of the Federal Government’s commitment to upholding press freedom.

Adeshina said this at the public presentation on Tuesday of the first two volumes of a book entitled, “Nigerian Media Leaders: Voices beyond the Newsroom, “ written by Mr Richard Ikiebe.

The event was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

The presidential aide said that the Federal Government was aware that it would not break much ground to develop the country if it did not work with the media.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari recognised the media as an ally and a critical partner in the quest to build a worthy Nigeria.

“Our president is set to champion the freedom of the press because he sees the institution as a vital building block for national development,” he said.

Adeshina said that the media had always played critical roles at different epochs in the history of the country.

“The media will be more conciliatory, lending a critical hand as the government strives to build a new country devoid of official corruption,’’ he said.

Adeshina commended the author of the books, saying that their presentation was a watershed at this point in the history of the country.

“These books are landmark to the importance of the media and they signify a milestone in the annals of journalism in Nigeria,’’ he said.

The Book Reviewer, Prof. Adigun Agbaje, who was represented by Dr Bisi Olawunmi of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun, said that the books contained topics worthy of study.

“The rigour, richness, breadth and depth of the interviews, as well as the calibre of those interviewed, easily secure a special place of note in the history of the study of media in Nigeria.

“The content comprehensively turns the searchlight on reportage by those who have literally shaped and interpreted the terrain of the Nigerian press in the decades since around the 1950s.

“They capture for posterity the dynamics of this period in the words of the key actors, thereby transforming many of these media scholars from inscrutable agents of history to active sources.

“They give explanation to the ebb and flow of Nigeria’s public and not-so-public affairs,” Agbaje said.

Present at the event were Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, ex-Chairman of Punch Nigeria Limited and Aremo Segun Osoba, former Managing Director of the Daily Times.

Others were Alhaji Lai Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressive Congress, Dr Christopher Kolade, former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Dr Doyin Abiola, a veteran journalist. (NAN)