Mohammed Idris to chair 2024 IPI Nigeria conference as media freedom takes center stage

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, will chair the 2024 conference of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI), scheduled to take place on Wednesday, December 11, at the Abuja Continental Hotel.

The conference, a key gathering of media leaders and stakeholders, aims to address pressing issues affecting journalism in Nigeria.

Ahmed I. Shekarau, the Secretary of IPI Nigeria, disclosed in a statement on Monday that the conference will feature prominent figures across media, governance, and academia.

Confirmed attendees include: Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser; Olusegun Osoba, former Ogun State Governor; Sam Amuka Pemu, Publisher of Vanguard Newspaper; Kabiru A. Yusuf, President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN); Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Other attendees include: Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA); Kole Shettima, Africa Director of the MacArthur Foundation; Hussaini Abdu, Country Director of CARE; Nduka Obaigbena, Founder of ThisDay/Arise; Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, Dean of Postgraduate School, Baze University and Olusegun Adeniyi, Chairman of the Editorial Board of ThisDay Newspaper.

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The conference will feature a keynote address by renowned media expert, Professor Tonnie Iredia, on “Democracy, Media Freedom, and the Imperative of Protecting Nigeria’s Civic Space.”

A panel of seasoned journalists, moderated by Busola Ajibola, deputy director at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, will deliberate on the paper.

Panelists include: Waziri Adio, founder of Agora Policy; Garba Shehu, director at Peoples Daily and former presidential spokesperson; Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, a mass communication scholar from the University of Lagos.

Additionally, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, Director-General of the State Security Service, will present on “Dissecting the Frosty Relationship Between the Nigerian Media and Security Agencies,” followed by a discussion featuring: Muyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer; Funke Egbemode, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and Lanre Arogundade, Director of the International Press Centre.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, will provide insights into how the media can collaborate with anti-corruption agencies in combating graft.

Meanwhile, former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, will address “Government vs Media: Enhancing Mutual Understanding and Avoiding Censorship.”

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On December 12, the conference will culminate in IPI Nigeria’s annual general meeting, where the Musikilu Mojeed-led executive committee will present its stewardship report. Members will also elect a new leadership to steer the organization’s activities.