The Registrar-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), Mr. Henry Mbadiwe, has called on Nigerian journalists to uphold ethical standards and resist the rising tide of misinformation and sensationalism in the media space.
Mr. Mbadiwe made this call while delivering a keynote address at the DICAN Bi-Annual International Conference 2025, held in Abuja. The conference, which attracted key stakeholders in diplomacy, intelligence, and the media, focused on the theme: “Nigeria’s 4Ds Foreign Policy Strategy Amidst Global Security Challenges, Strategic Misconceptions, and the Age of Disinformation: The Role of Diplomacy, Intelligence and Media in Shaping National and Global Stability.”
In his address, Mbadiwe emphasized that project management principles such as goal setting, resource alignment, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication are essential tools for national development especially in foreign policy and security sectors.
“In everything we do especially in diplomacy and security we are managing projects. Whether it’s rolling out a foreign policy initiative or coordinating a counterterrorism effort, we must apply project management principles to ensure success,” he said.
Speaking directly to the media, Mr. Mbadiwe issued a stern warning on the misuse of journalistic platforms, lamenting the weaponization of the press.
“The pen is mightier than the sword, but in today’s Nigeria, the pen is increasingly being used as a sword inflicting harm rather than spreading truth,” he stated. “I came back from the UK to contribute to national development, only to become the subject of false and damaging media narratives.”
He urged journalists and media organisations to be guided by integrity, truth, and patriotism, reminding them of their critical role in national unity and development.
“Once the pen becomes a weapon, it becomes as destructive as any form of violence,” he warned.
Mbadiwe also commended the Chairman of DICAN for his leadership and commitment to convening the conference despite challenges, describing him as an example of “grit, consistency, and courage.”
Participants at the conference, especially members of the media, applauded Mr. Mbadiwe’s message, agreed on the urgent need to reorient the practice of journalism towards professionalism and nation-building.
As Nigeria confront complex internal and external security issues, the conference served as a timely reminder of the interconnected roles of diplomacy, intelligence, and the media in safeguarding national cohesion and global peace.
