Nigeria is set to host the maiden meeting of the African bloc of the National Committees of the International Press Institute,IPI.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, confirmed the development during a weekend meeting in Vienna, Austria, with IPI officials including the Chairman of the Executive Board, Mr. Marton Gergely; the Executive Director, Mr. Scott Griffen; and Nigeria’s representative on the Board, Mr. Raheem Adedoyin.
The IPI Board had recently approved the formation of regional blocs of National Committees to address distinct regional media and press freedom concerns within the global IPI community.
Mallam Mohammed Idris expressed Nigeria’s readiness to take the lead, stating that hosting the first African meeting is “a great honour for us to lead as we always do.”
He noted that Nigeria has a strong track record of successful international engagements, recalling the country’s hosting of the IPI World Congress and General Assembly in Abuja in 2018. “Nigeria is ready for another world-class hosting,” the Minister assured.
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While the date for the maiden African bloc meeting is yet to be fixed, Mr. Griffen said the IPI Secretariat in Vienna will collaborate with Mr. Adedoyin and the IPI Nigeria National Committee to finalize arrangements.
Mr. Gergely commended Nigeria as a leading light in democratic governance with a vibrant and free press, while Mr. Griffen lauded IPI Nigeria for its consistent advocacy for press freedom across Africa.
During discussions, Idris also revisited the long-standing appeal by IPI Nigeria for support to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism in Ogba, Lagos.
He highlighted that the institute was founded by IPI in 1971 during the presidency of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande and is currently chaired by veteran journalist and former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.
Idris, a prominent member of the IPI, attended the just-concluded IPI World Congress and 75th Anniversary in Vienna, alongside a high-profile Nigerian delegation that included Raheem Adedoyin, Musikilu Mojeed, Garba Shehu, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, Rafiu Ajakaye, Steve Ayorinde, Professor Abigail Ogwuensi, and Tobi Soniyi.
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