Thursday September 3, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng

The Federal Government has commended Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, for reactivating the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation, describing the move as a bold investment in democracy, institutional memory and credible public communication.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the commendation on Thursday in Calabar while delivering the keynote address at the official reactivation of the remodelled State Newspaper Corporation, now renamed the Cross River Information Hub, and the commissioning of a new Government Printing Press.

Idris said the event was more than the reopening of a building or the commissioning of new equipment, describing it as the restoration of an institution and a renewal of confidence in credible information, professional journalism and effective communication in governance.

He commended the Otu-led administration for choosing to rebuild rather than abandon the corporation, which was established in 1971 and had served the state for decades through publications such as the Nigerian Chronicle and Weekend Chronicle.

“Governor Bassey Otu administration’s People First philosophy speaks to a fundamental principle of democratic governance. Government cannot effectively serve people without effectively communicating with the people. That is why this new Cross River Information Hub is important,” Idris said.

Speaking on the changing media landscape, the minister noted that although technology had transformed the speed of news dissemination and artificial intelligence was reshaping content creation, the need for verification and truth had become even more critical.

“Technology may change the tools of journalism, but it cannot replace truth, accuracy, fairness and professional judgement. The Cross River Information Hub must therefore become more than a renovated physical structure. It should be a centre for credible journalism, digital innovation, professional development and meaningful public engagement,” he said.

Idris charged journalists to prioritise accuracy, ethics and credibility, warning that public trust, once lost, could be difficult to regain.

The minister also spoke on the economic reforms of the Bola Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy, describing the policy as difficult but necessary to redirect resources towards critical sectors.

He said, “The removal of fuel subsidy is a difficult decision, but it is necessary to free resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare and security. The task before us is therefore not to reverse reform and return to an arrangement that the country could no longer sustainably afford. It is to make the reform work better and faster for Nigerians.”

Idris further urged political actors and media practitioners to promote national unity and guard against misinformation, disinformation and hate speech as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

“The 2027 elections will test not only our political institutions but also the integrity of our information ecosystem. President Tinubu administration remains committed to a peaceful, credible and transparent electoral process. Therefore, as political actors and the media, we must prioritise national unity and resist misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech,” he stated.

The minister also urged the Cross River State Government to sustain investment in the training and professional development of journalists, editors, printers and other communication professionals.

In his remarks, Governor Otu said the reactivation of the corporation fulfilled his administration’s promise to strengthen the state’s information assets and promote the free flow of information between the government and the people.

“When I hosted the first media parley on assumption of office, I made it abundantly clear that my administration will engender free flow of information from the government to the citizenry and vice versa. To achieve this goal, every information asset will be revitalised and the channel strengthened to deliver on its mandate,” he said.

The governor recalled that his administration had earlier upgraded transmission equipment and renovated office blocks at the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s communication infrastructure.

He said the editorial board would be tasked with developing a Critical Response Initiative in information management to provide real-time updates, counter misleading information and report emergencies within and outside the state.

Otu described the Nigerian Chronicle, established in the early 1970s, as one of the state’s most important information platforms, lamenting that the newspaper had remained moribund for about two decades.

He added that the corporation’s complex was also vandalised during the #EndSARS protests in 2020.

“Considering the importance of the print media, I set every machinery in motion to re-equip the facility and put it back to use, as well as renovating the entire complex. The government has invested scarce resources in procuring and installing state-of-the-art printing machines and accessories. I urge the staff to justify the investment through hard work and protect the facilities against vandalisation,” Otu added.

(The PUNCH)