The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Thursday declared credible information and professional journalism Nigeria’s strongest defence against misinformation and disinformation, as he commissioned the remodelled Cross River State Newspaper Corporation — now the Cross River Information Hub — and a new Government Printing Press in Calabar.
Idris praised Governor Bassey Edet Otu for repositioning the state’s information infrastructure for the digital age, describing the project as more than a renovation.
“The decision of the Cross River State Government to rebuild and reposition this institution, rather than allow it to disappear into history, deserves commendation,” he said. “Information infrastructure is itself an important component of development. Government cannot effectively serve people it does not effectively communicate with.”
The Newspaper Corporation, established in 1971, documented government and public affairs for decades through the Nigerian Chronicle and Weekend Chronicle. Its transformation into the Cross River Information Hub is expected to position it as a centre for credible journalism, digital innovation, professional development and public engagement.
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The Minister cautioned, however, that the rapidly changing information landscape — instant news across multiple platforms and AI-driven content creation — must not erode professional standards.
“The faster information travels, the greater the premium we must place on verification. Technology may change the tools of journalism, but it cannot replace truth, accuracy, fairness and professional judgement,” he said.
On the new Government Printing Press, Idris stressed the enduring value of official documentation: “A government that does not preserve its records risks losing its history; a people who do not document their journey leave others to tell their story.”
He added that rebuilding public trust in government communication remained central to his mandate as the Federal Government implements reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that public trust “cannot be commanded; it must be earned.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the Minister urged political actors, the media and citizens to place national unity above partisan, ethnic and sectional considerations, warning against misinformation, hate speech and divisive narratives.
“Elections will come and go; Nigeria will remain,” he said, charging journalists to verify claims, resist sensationalism and uphold professional ethics.
Governor Otu, in his remarks, said the reactivation reflected his administration’s commitment to restoring key state institutions.
“Our vision is to restore the Newspaper Corporation by bringing together its rich heritage and institutional history with modern technology, so that it can once again play a strong role in informing the people and telling the Cross River story,” he said.
The event drew dignitaries including former Governor Chief Clement Ebri; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem; Chief Judge Hon. Justice Akon Ikpeme; President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku; and Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, Dr Dili Ezughah.
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