President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to press freedom, assuring journalists and other critics that they have nothing to fear from government reprisals.
Tinubu gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja during the centenary celebration of the Daily Times, where the Nigerian Grand Book and Times Heroes Awards were also unveiled.
The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, described the media as a critical pillar of national development and an important instrument for information, accountability and the preservation of Nigeria’s collective memory.
According to him, his administration recognises the constitutional role of the media and remains committed to protecting press freedom.
“The President recognises the role of the media in shaping the destiny of the nation, and hence his commitment, in line with the Constitution of our country, to the freedom of the press.
“Let us admit openly that under this government, you can insult, attack the President and go to bed without midnight march,” he said.
Tinubu Unveils Nigerian Grand Book
Unveiling the Nigerian Grand Book, Tinubu said the publication would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to document the country’s history from their own perspective.
He stressed the need to preserve Nigeria’s historical and institutional memory, warning that nations that forget their past risk repeating their mistakes.
“History should not be a museum of yesterday. History should be an instrument of engineering tomorrow. That is why a publication such as the Nigerian Grand Book is so important. It gives us an opportunity to tell our history from our own perspective,” the President said.
He added that the publication would celebrate Nigerians whose contributions had helped shape the country’s development while preserving their stories for future generations.
As the Daily Times marked its 100th anniversary, Tinubu urged Nigerians to look beyond the newspaper’s century-long history and focus on what the country could achieve over the next 100 years.
Adesina Advocates Continuity in Nation-Building
The keynote speaker, former President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said the longevity of the Daily Times demonstrated the importance of continuity in institution-building.
Delivering a keynote address titled “Daily Times @ 100, Lessons in Nation Building,” Adesina said every generation inherits responsibilities and foundations laid by those before it.
He stressed that nation-building could not be achieved by one individual or administration but required the collective efforts of successive generations.
“Leadership is about stewardship and perhaps the greater measure of leadership is not simply what did I achieve when I was there but what better foundations did I leave behind on which a greater future can be built. That is the mindset that moves nations forward,” he said.
Adesina called for a Nigeria where citizens could bring their diverse strengths together in pursuit of a common national purpose.
“Nation building is at its best when people bring their different strengths to a shared purpose. That is the Nigeria we should continue to build. Confident in our diversity, united in our purpose, ambitious for our glorious future,” he added.
Daily Times Honours Nigerians
The Publisher of the Daily Times, Fidelis Anosike, also recognised former editors of the newspaper, as well as Vanguard Publisher, Prince Sam Amuka-Pemu, popularly known as Uncle Sam, and former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.
The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, received the Community Impact Award, while Adesina was honoured with the Global Impact Award.
The founding Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of ThisDay, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, received the Media Icon of the Decade Award.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, received the Minister of the Decade Award, while the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, was named Politician of the Year.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, received the Governor of the Year Award, while Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was honoured as Outstanding Governor, South-West.
Other governors recognised at the event were Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Agbu Kefas of Taraba State.
They received awards for outstanding performance in the North-Central, South-South, South-East, North-West and North-East regions respectively.
Senator representing Nasarawa West, Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, received the Outstanding Lawmaker of the Year Award, while Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, was honoured as Lawmaker of the Year, House of Representatives.
