Senate President, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, has called on Nigerian journalists to uphold the principles of responsible, ethical, and fact-based journalism, emphasizing its critical role in national development and the safeguarding of democracy.
Akpabio made the appeal on Saturday while delivering a keynote address at the 2025 World Press Freedom Day celebration, organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja.
In his address, titled “Voices, Vision, and the Vigilance of Truth: The Role of the Legislature and the Press in Nation Building,” the Senate President underscored the dangers posed by misinformation in the digital age, describing accurate information as the lifeblood of any functional democracy.
> “A nation without information is like a blindfolded captain,” Akpabio stated. “Citizens must have access to reliable information to hold their leaders accountable.”
Speaking further on the event’s theme, “The Legislature, Right to Information, and the Challenges of Nation Building in Nigeria,” Akpabio likened the legislative arm to the “microphone of the people,” responsible for transforming public concerns into actionable policies. He asserted that access to timely, credible information is a fundamental right, calling it “the oxygen that keeps democracy breathing.”
The Senate President urged the media to remain vigilant, professional, and steadfast in their role as “guardians of memory and interpreters of meaning,” adding that the press must foster constructive dialogue to deepen democratic values.
> “Democracy is deepened not by ballots alone, but by dialogue,” Akpabio remarked, while also advocating support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as it navigates national challenges.
In his remarks, NUJ President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, reaffirmed the union’s commitment to promoting press freedom and ethical journalism in Nigeria. Yahaya paid tribute to journalists working under threats, intimidation, and harsh conditions, calling for improved safety and enabling environments for media practitioners.
He also commended the federal government’s expressed support for free speech but urged authorities to match their promises with concrete actions.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of the NUJ Annual Press Freedom and Good Governance Awards, honoring distinguished individuals and institutions for their contributions to journalism and national development.
Award Recipients Included:
Torch Bearers of Press Freedom Awards: Jide Oyekunle (Secretary, NUJ FCT Council), Idibia Gabriel, Matthew Ochei, Lucy Ezeliora, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah, and Ibrahim Isha.
Good Governance Awards: Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Arc. Sunny Echono, Dr. Emem Omokaro, NNPC Ltd, Julius Berger Nigeria, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State.
Defender of Press Freedom Award: Chief Henry Akunebu (SAN)
The 2025 World Press Freedom Day event served as a reminder of the enduring importance of a free, ethical, and responsible press in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and promoting good governance.
