The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged media professionals to tell more stories about Northern Nigeria’s achievements and potential, rather than focusing predominantly on the region’s security challenges.
Speaking on Monday at the inaugural Arewa Media Summit in Kano, the minister called on journalists to uphold ethical, balanced and responsible journalism, stressing that the future of Northern Nigeria would be shaped not only by development projects but also by the narratives projected about the region.
“The future of Northern Nigeria will not be determined only by the quality of our roads, our farms or our industries. It will also be shaped by the quality of our ideas and the stories we tell about ourselves,” Idris said while delivering the keynote address.
He described the media as one of the most powerful institutions for shaping public opinion, attracting investment, preserving culture, strengthening democracy and promoting national unity.
According to him, the summit’s theme, “Government-Citizen Accord: Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Media Practice,” highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, citizens and the media in building a peaceful, prosperous and united Nigeria.
The minister warned that although digital technology has created unprecedented opportunities for communication and economic growth, it has also accelerated the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
“Falsehood often travels faster than truth. That is why professional journalism has never been more important. Credible journalism must continue to stand for accuracy, fairness, verification and responsibility,” he said.
Idris reaffirmed the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu administration to press freedom, saying the government would continue to create an enabling environment for journalists to carry out their constitutional responsibilities professionally.
He urged journalists to present a more balanced picture of Northern Nigeria by highlighting both the region’s challenges and its numerous success stories.
“Northern Nigeria is far more than insecurity. It is home to entrepreneurs, farmers, innovators, researchers, artists and young people who are transforming their communities every day. These stories deserve to be told alongside the challenges because they present a fuller and more accurate picture of our region,” he said.
Highlighting the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda, the minister said the Federal Government is investing in infrastructure, education, security and economic reforms to unlock opportunities across the country. He listed the Four Legacy Highway Projects, the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and investments in rail, energy and logistics as key initiatives driving growth, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
Idris also highlighted two flagship initiatives under the Ministry of Information and National Orientation—the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) and the launch of the Digital Switch Over (FreeTV) platform—which he said would strengthen responsible journalism, expand access to quality broadcasting, create jobs, promote local content and enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat misinformation and disinformation.
He called on journalists to help shape a better future for the region by telling stories that inspire confidence while remaining truthful.
“Tell the stories of our innovators. Tell the stories of our farmers. Tell the stories of our entrepreneurs. Tell stories that inspire confidence without abandoning truth. Tell stories that unite rather than divide,” he said.
The inaugural Arewa Media Summit, convened by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Malam Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, brought together journalists, broadcasters, filmmakers, digital creators, academics, communication professionals and policymakers.
Among those in attendance were the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf; the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha; the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; the President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya, and other senior government officials and media stakeholders.
