The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has appointed Information Minister, Mohammed Idris and media personalities to its standing committees.
The appointments were announced in a statement by IPI Secretary, Ahmed Shekarau on Sunday in Abuja.
Alhaji Shekarau said the appointments were are aimed to promote press freedom and responsible journalism in the country.
According to Shekarau, the committees are Fundraising, Programming, Advocacy and Membership, each comprising seasoned industry professionals.
He stated that “notable appointees include the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity and former President of Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mrs Funke Egbemode.
“Others are former Managing Director of Champion Newspapers, Mr Emma Agu and former Provost of Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Mr Gbemiga Ogunleye.”
Shekarau added that the fundraising committee will be chaired by Egbemode, while the Secretary is Alhaji Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operations, The Nation.
Other members of the committee are Idris, Juliet Bumah, Editor, New Telegraph, Shehu, Ken Ugbechie, publisher of Political Economist, Victoria Ibanga, publisher of The Next Edition, Olufunke Fadugba, Chairman of the Editorial Board of PenPushing Media and Ogunleye.
He said that the Chairman of the programming committee is Mr Oladotun Oladipo, Managing Editor/CEO, Premium Eagle Limited, publishers of The Eagle Online and the Secretary is Hajia Sani, Director, Digital Media at Voice of Nigeria (VON).
Other members are Hajiya Zainab Okino, Chairman Daily of the Editorial Board of Blueprint, Dayo Aiyetan, Executive Director at The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Catherine Agbo, Deputy Editor, 21st Century Chronicle, Emma Agu, former Managing Director/CEO, Champion and Ahmed Shekarau, CEO, Media Trust Group.
“Advocacy Committee’s Chairman is Tobi Soniyi, Media Adviser to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Secretary, Ochiaka Ugwu, Editor, Features, Peoples Daily.
“Other members are Sule Ya’u Sule, Associate Professor at Bayero University Kano, Danlami Nmodu, Publisher of Newsdiaryonline, Laide Abbas, Assistant Director, News, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).
“Also as members are David Ajikobi, Nigerian Editor of Africa Check and Fred Ohwahwa, former Editor at The Guardian and Senior Partner, Tokee Consult Limited.”
Shekarau said that the membership committee would be chaired by Ruqayyah Aliyu, Associate Professor at Bayero University Kano, while Linda Kpum, IPI Nigeria’s Administrative Secretary would serve as Secretary.
The committee has Fidelis Mbah, Al Jazeera Media Network and Deputy President of IPI Nigeria, Naziru Mikailu Abubakar, PhD Fellow at the University of Westminster, United Kingdom and Bolanle Ismail, Lecturer, Crescent University, Abeokuta as members.
The secretary said each committee is tasked with key responsibilities, explaining that the Fundraising Committee is expected to plan, coordinate and execute fundraising activities to support IPI Nigeria’s programmes.
“The Programming Committee will design initiatives and develop compelling programmes aligned with IPI Nigeria’s objectives.
“The Advocacy Committee will provide strategic direction for IPI Nigeria’s advocacy efforts, promoting press freedom and engaging public officials on key policy issues.
“The Membership Committee will focus on attracting new members, assessing applicants’ qualifications and enhancing engagement.”
He quoted IPI Nigeria’s President, Musikilu Mojeed, as saying “the reconstitution of these committees aims to accelerate efforts in safeguarding press freedom and promoting responsible journalism practices in Nigeria.”
