The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda, describing it as necessary to secure Nigeria’s long-term economic stability.
Idris said the government must ensure that the benefits of the reforms translate into improved infrastructure, stronger public services, greater economic opportunities and better living conditions for Nigerians.
The minister spoke at the maiden Bashir Adamu Chedi Annual Memorial Lecture and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Kaduna State Chapter.
The lecture, themed “Bridging Generations: Strengthening Public Relations Through Mentorship,” was organised in honour of the late Mallam Bashir Adamu Chedi, a former Secretary and Chairman of the Kaduna Chapter, member of the Institute’s Governing Council and Fellow of NIPR.
Idris described the removal of petrol subsidy as a “difficult but necessary” decision aimed at ending what he called an unsustainable regime that had drained public resources for decades.
“The responsibility of government is therefore to ensure that the gains from reform translate increasingly into better infrastructure, stronger public services, greater economic opportunity and improved living conditions,” he said.
Idris Urges PR Practitioners To Prioritise Truth
The minister called on public relations practitioners to help bridge generational gaps through mentorship while maintaining truth, credibility and integrity in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and misinformation.
He said Chedi’s greatest legacy was not the positions he held but the people he influenced and the younger practitioners he encouraged throughout his career.
“His greatest legacy was not the positions he occupied. It was the people he influenced, the younger practitioners he encouraged and the professional values he represented,” Idris said.
He warned that rapid technological advancement was changing the communication landscape, with social media turning virtually everyone into a publisher and artificial intelligence making it easier to create fabricated images, cloned voices and manipulated videos.
“In this environment, public relations cannot simply be about publicity. Our real business is trust,” he said.
According to Idris, technology and communication platforms may continue to evolve, but the core values of public relations must remain anchored on truth, credibility, integrity, responsibility and respect for the public.
He urged senior practitioners to mentor younger professionals, while encouraging younger practitioners to respect experience and contribute fresh ideas.
“Young practitioners must not dismiss experience as outdated, and senior practitioners must not regard innovation as a threat.
“Bridging generations means bringing these strengths together,” he said.
Minister Highlights CNG, Security Reforms
Idris linked the restoration of public trust in government communication to the policy direction of the Tinubu administration.
He highlighted the Federal Government’s promotion of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cheaper and cleaner transportation alternative, as well as efforts to strengthen security agencies in the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
The minister also addressed the growing national debate over state policing, saying Nigeria’s security architecture must evolve in response to emerging realities.
“Nigeria’s security architecture must evolve with its realities.
“Bringing policing closer to communities can strengthen intelligence and improve response to local threats,” he said.
Idris Warns Against Political Misinformation
With another electoral cycle approaching, Idris urged public relations professionals to resist the temptation to spread false information for political advantage.
He called on practitioners to verify information before publishing and uphold professional ethics regardless of their employers or political affiliations.
“We must explain without deceiving, persuade without manipulating, correct misinformation without suppressing legitimate disagreement,” he said.
The minister described Chedi as a friend and colleague whose professional values should continue to guide members of the Institute.
He prayed for the repose of Chedi’s soul and commended the Kaduna Chapter of NIPR for establishing the annual memorial lecture.
Idris expressed hope that the initiative would develop into a national platform for mentorship, professional reflection and the promotion of ethical public relations practice.
The AGM brought together senior and junior members of NIPR to review the chapter’s activities and discuss strategies for advancing the public relations profession in Kaduna State.
