Alhaji Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, affirmed that President Bola Tinubu displays sincerity in addressing the challenges faced by Nigerians and labour unions.
In his address at the Business Luncheon held in Abuja on Thursday, Idris informed the audience, which included other ministers, about this.
He explained that in the recent discussions with labour unions, the government’s negotiating team had to refer the matter back to the president when the unions stood firm, asserting that N40,000 was the minimum they would accept.
‘After back and forth for about two hours, and because we want to the truthful to Nigerians, we decided that some of us should go back and discuss with the president before we continued negotiation.’
‘We went back to him and after analytical discussion, the Federal Government felt it was comfortable with N35,000.’
‘President Tinubu said if we can pay, please we should pay, but if we know that can not pay, we should not go and make a promise that we cannot fulfilled.’
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‘This shows that the President is very sincere about his intention to make this wage increment to Labour and the Nigerian workers a reality.’
‘As colleagues, I urge you to report it the way it is. When you are not clear, ask questions, I will be here to explain and clarify.’
‘There is need to restore credibility in government information and communication so that people can start to see the need to believe and trust the people they elected into positions of authority,’ he said.
In his promise, the minister stated his intention to confront the issues surrounding alleged censorship and the exclusion of certain journalists covering the Presidential villa.
Furthermore, he stated that the government is in the process of developing tax incentives, and he emphasised that the media will have a role to play in this endeavour.
‘It is in my interest that the media should breath. The President also wants the same thing for the media in the country.’
‘The president has given us a marching order in the area of national orientation and that will be in the front burner of our activities. The negative narrative of the past will be changed.’
‘We will restore the integrity of public broadcasting, and President Tinubu has assured me of his unconditional support. Let us be patient, it will certainly happen,’ the minister said.
Addressing a similar issue, Mr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, expressed his displeasure concerning the prevalence of false information within society.
‘However, it is our duty to give correct and accurate information. There are so many narrative that are not true and they do damage to our psyche and mentality of the society.’
‘Such negative narrative desecrate our values as a nation. Analytical minds and knowledge is lacking among our colleagues. Some are emotional and easily carried away.’
‘Sometimes, we are guilty of this by association. I appeal to all of us to improve. Let’s elevate this association so that those coming behind will be proud,’ Alake said.
In earlier deliberations among NPAN members, a faction advocated for the revival of the National Orientation Agency and the restructuring of national broadcasting, while another group expressed dissatisfaction with the media’s situation and called for support, incentives, and safeguarding of press freedom.
As reported by the News Agency Nigeria, the Business Luncheon saw the participation of notable figures representing the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, as well as NPAN members, along with many others hailing from different parts of the nation.