TheCable

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, has sought the support of the media in creating awareness for the “Charter on citizen code” which the federal government will unveil soon.

Speaking in Lagos on Thursday night at the second Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Milestone Recognition of Media Icons in Nigeria, Idris said the charter is designed to uphold values that unite Nigerians, taking into account the nation’s socio-cultural diversities.

According to the minister, the charter will contain the rights and responsibilities of Nigerians “as citizens of the greatest black nation on earth”.

He added that the committee working on the charter would soon finalise its report.

“This new charter, which will be unveiled by the president early next year, will consist of a Nigerian Promise, and Citizen Codes, defining our core values as Nigerians while taking into full account our ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversities,” Idris, represented by Mohammed Bulama, director-general (DG) of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), said.

“It will seek to entrench in all Nigerians a balanced understanding of our rights as well as our responsibilities as citizens of the greatest black nation on earth.

“This committee has two weeks to submit its final report, and your support as the media will make a huge difference in terms of this assignment. Without you, we will not succeed in this vital mission.”

The minister said the media should not just hold it accountable but help to build the country.

“Hold us accountable for what we promise and what we do, but also help us in this collective task of building a Nigeria that works for every one of its two hundred million citizens,” he said.

“Continually remind us of our pledges and promises, and even our shortcomings, while also applying the same energy towards amplifying and communicating the programs and policies we are putting in place to transform Nigeria.

“I am also grateful for the honour extended to me to be the chairman of this year’s edition, presiding over the recognition of industry ‘greats’ like Mr Ray Ekpu, Chief Henry Odukomaiya, Dr Danladi Bako and Aremo Taiwo Alimi.”

The minister said since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, he has been implementing beneficial reforms some of which he noted are painful.