By Muhyideen Jimoh
President Bola Tinubu has pledged to review tariffs on newspaper and broadcasting materials to strengthen the media industry and enhance its constitutional role.
Tinubu made the pledge on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during an inter-faith breaking of fast with media executives.
The president commended media owners, editors and journalists for informing citizens, shaping national discourse, creating employment opportunities and sustaining democratic accountability.
According to him, responsible leadership requires taking difficult decisions at the appropriate time, and failure by leaders to act decisively in critical moments often amounts to abdication of responsibility.
He explained that several reforms undertaken by his administration were difficult but necessary measures required to stabilise the economy and prevent Nigeria from sliding deeper into financial distress.
“Leadership must, as a matter of responsibility, make decisions at the best time. Yes, I accepted my predecessor’s assets and liabilities because I applied for the job and was given it.”
“But if anybody tells you it is easy, it is a lie. I thank you for your criticism at the beginning of this administration.
“You challenged and inspired me.”
Tinubu said constructive criticism from the media had helped stimulate leadership reflection and strengthened his determination to deliver on the mandate given to him by Nigerians.
“We had to save the nation and bring it back from the brink.
“Today, I can stand proudly before you and say that Nigeria has recovered from that difficult moment,”
Responding to requests for government intervention on tariffs affecting newsprint and broadcasting materials, Tinubu assured that the concerns raised during discussions would receive further attention.
“We discussed the issue of tariffs earlier today. What I cannot confirm now is whether action has already been taken in the areas affecting you.
“But if I missed that, I would certainly go back to rectify whatever is necessary to ensure fairness and support for the media industry,”
Tinubu also urged journalists to extend their watchdog role to other tiers of government, stressing that reforms implemented by the Federal Government had increased financial resources available to states and local governments.
Earlier, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, expressed confidence in the president’s resilience and leadership.
He urged journalists to continue discharging their constitutional responsibilities with professionalism while holding governments at all levels accountable.
Chief Olusegun Osoba, Grand Patron of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, commended Tinubu for implementing bold reforms aimed at transforming the national economy and improving Nigeria’s fiscal and governance systems.
Osoba particularly praised the establishment of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and the National Single Window initiative, noting that both policies have the potential to significantly increase government revenue generation.
Mr Frank Aigbogun, Publisher of BusinessDay newspapers and President of the Nigeria Press Organisation (NPO), commended Tinubu for maintaining cordial relations with the Nigerian media since assuming office.
Aigbogun appealed for presidential intervention on import tariffs affecting newsprint and broadcast equipment and urged government to address the growing impact of global technology companies on Nigeria’s media industry.
He warned that many international digital platforms utilise editorial content produced by Nigerian media organisations without compensation, thereby threatening jobs of journalists and undermining the financial sustainability of the industry.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by members of the Nigeria Press Organisation (NPO), Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Nigeria Guild of Editors and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).(NAN)