Vice President Kashim Shettima has pledged the federal government’s support for the Nigeria Press Council’s national compendium on economic and tourism potential across Nigeria.
The pledge came as he described President Bola Tinubu as a friend of the media and a firm believer of the independence of the press.
This, he said, explained why the present administration had in the past three years, continued to promote a conducive environment for journalists to carry out their duties without harassment.
Shettima spoke Thursday in Abuja when he received a delegation from the Nigeria Press Council (NPC) led by its executive secretary and chief executive officer, Dr. Dili Ezughah, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa.
Noting that the president had remained a friend of the media, the vice president in a statement by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha recalled how Tinubu used his personal resources to assist media organisations.
According to him, people have been making libelous and provocative utterances with incisive vituperations against the administration and are allowed to get away with them because the president is very tolerant.“The president is a friend of the media. He used to assist them from his personal resources, with newsprints and other support mechanisms. He is also a publisher. So, he knows the ecosystem very well, and believes in the independence of the press.
“For the past three years, have you heard of any harassment of journalists?
His tolerance threshold is so high that people who are making incendiary remarks are allowed to have their day for peace to reign in the country,” he stated.
Pledging presidential support for the council’s bid to get official endorsement of the publication it is currently working on, Shettima also promised to appeal to governors of the 36 states of the federation to key into the project.
“The sub-nationals own the land, own the people. Their role is very pivotal in really pushing this country forward,” he stated, emphasising why a buy-in from the governors is pivotal to the book project.
The vice president further noted that the national compendium titled, “Nigeria: Documenting the Economic and Tourism Profiles of the 36 States and the FCT,” is a welcome development, expressing hope that the publication would sell Nigeria to the world.
“If you go to other countries, you will see similar books at the airport stands. In terms of the quality of the job, the writings are so top-notch that we can embrace it as our national treasure, and see to it that it is massively printed and circulated to our embassies,” he said.
Earlier, Bauchi State deputy governor, Mohammed Auwal Jatau, on behalf of Governor Bala Mohammed, expressed gratitude to the country’s leadership, noting that if the document was approved, every state was likely to benefit based on its respective tourism potential.
Executive Secretary of the NPC, Dr. Ezughah, expressed gratitude to the vice president for granting an audience to the NPC Planning Committee while acknowledging his consistent support for sub-national economic development and national coordination.
He explained that the national compendium being developed spotlights Nigeria’s economic and tourism profiles and required the vice president’s strategic direction on the document.
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