Minister of Information and National Orientation Idris Mohammed has described the first civilian governor of Lagos state, late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande(LKJ), as Africa’s pride whose legacies can never be eroded.
The minister also stressed the need for editors to be vigilant in the discharge of their responsibility and duty of informing the society.
Idris said this Tuesday in his remarks at the second Alhaji Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture in Lagos, organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
The event provided an opportunity for leaders in the industry to chart a road map for the industry, and pointed the way forward.
Represented by the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali M. Ali, the minister said Jakande’s legacies and his leadership style would remain a source of inspiration to coming generations.
He said: “We must not lose what is real in the horizon, editors have to be more vigilant and learn from the master who we are celebrating today, one of Africa’s greatest.
“Late Lateef Jakande – his ideals, his leadership as a politician was clearly a pacesetter. He deserves deeper respect.”
He commended the NGE for their support to the Tinubu administration, especially in battling fake news.
While acknowledging that Nigeria was no doubt going through trying times, he lauded the NGE leadership for standing against fake news.
He said the Guild had taken its leading space and contributed to the media growth and training while also reshaping the skills of editors.
Idris also lauded the choice of the lead speaker, who is also the Chairman, ThisDay/Arise Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, saying he had the requisite experience to deliver the lecture on the rapidly changing media landscape and survival strategies.
“Over the years, we’ve seen how the media has reinvented itself expanding the frontiers of publishing.
“The guild in the last couple of years has actually taken its rightful place from the time it came into existence. I must commend the leadership of the guild for contributing to media growth,” the minister said.
Also speaking, the immediate past information minister, Lai Mohammed, said Jakande, as the founding president of the guild, fought for the press freedom journalists enjoyed today.
He said: “Jakande practised journalism at the most difficult time, he was fearless and courageous. I’m glad to honour an Icon.”
…It’s time to think – Amuka
Speaking to the challenges in the newspaper industry, Vanguard publisher, Sam Amuka highlighted the efforts that go into producing a newspaper in the digital age, yet remains unsold.
Amuka said: “Producing a newspaper is a tug of war. Most people don’t buy newspapers on the street anymore because by the time the newspaper hits the street, it is already online. There’s one single reason why you don’t find newspapers on the street. It is because there are no vendors like there used to be.
“I was in Warri a few months ago for a funeral, and I didn’t see newspapers. Last week, I spent three days in Ife, Osun State. In those three days, I could not sleep because I was worried. I did not see newspapers on the street.