Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said that President Bola Tinubu’s government will always be an ally of the media. He recently assured the Nigeria Union of Journalists that BAT is on their side, and Nigerians have been reacting.
Speaking while he hosted a delegation of the NUJ leadership at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shettima revealed that Tinubu remains dedicated to safeguarding and advancing the journalism profession in the country.
Insisting that Tinubu has always been supportive of the media, the VP shared that the president does not intend to stray from his consistent track record of upholding the integrity of the journalism profession in Nigeria.
He stated that journalism is as important as the judiciary in Nigeria; therefore, the profession deserves to be protected.
“In President Bola Tinubu, you have a friend, an ally, and a proprietor who has been kind to the Nigerian media over the years.
I want to assure you that this administration will do its best to promote, project, and preserve the interests of the journalism profession.
You are the life wire of the nation — we can’t afford to muzzle you,” he said.
Describing the media as the conscience of the nation, he stressed that authorities cannot afford to intimidate journalists who are indispensable to the survival of democracy in the country.
Shettima concluded by urging journalists to keep holding public officials accountable.
“Past generations of Nigerian leaders — from Herbert Macaulay to Nnamdi Azikiwe and even Obafemi Awolowo — were first journalists before they became political leaders.
Be rest assured that the President will render his support to your organisation. We cannot afford to allow the journalism profession to die,” he added.
