The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has boasted how the Nigerian press have enjoyed freedom to operate in the country under his administration.
The president made this statement on Tuesday via his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina on Tuesday, as he celebrated with media practitioners in the country ahead of the 2023 World Press Freedom Day, marked every May 3 internationally.
This year’s theme is tagged: “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”.
According to The News Agency of Nigeria, Buhari said his administration ensured that Nigerian journalists had unfettered freedom to practice their art, adding that, he was delighted that the rights of Nigerian journalists have been protected and upheld in the past eight years.
It is worthy of note that this year’s celebration marks 30 years since the United Nations General Assembly’s decision of proclaiming an international day for press freedom, and the president noted that the landmark is a tribute to media professionals, who risk their lives to keep society informed and educated.
He said, “We have kept the faith. We have ensured that Nigerian journalists have had unfettered freedom to practice their art, and on this occasion of World Press Freedom Day, we recommit to that resolution, even as we wind down in office.”
He, therefore, charged media professionals nationwide to continue to be patriotic, work for the cohesion of the country, and exercise their freedom with a high deal of responsibility.
