President Bola Tinubu has urged the media to portray Nigeria positively to attract the needed investments that would foster economic growth and development.
President Tinubu made the appeal on Wednesday at the opening of the 19th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC), organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors, on Wednesday.
The president, who was represented by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stressed the role of the media as a primary source of information.
He emphasised the role of timely and accurate reporting, saying it helps businesses make informed decisions, and fosters a conducive environment for growth.
“I urge you to provide positive media coverage that can enhance investor confidence and attract the needed investments that fuel economic development in our county. The media’s role in portraying a favourable business environment contributes to the stability of financial markets,” he said.
Tinubu said promoting discussions on stimulating economic growth in the country remained a central focus of his administration and called for collaborative efforts of the media editors to sustain the discussions in alignment with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He acknowledged the immediate economic pains inflicted by the removal of fuel subsidy, saying his administration has been taking necessary measures to alleviate the pain through interventions designed to serve as palliatives in the short and medium term, as the nation awaits the long-term benefits of the reforms.
Tinubu listed some of the interventions as the provisional wage increment of N35,000 monthly for six months, to augment the federal minimum wage; the establishment of an Infrastructure Support Fund for States to invest in critical areas that will create an enabling environment for businesses, and the launch of a N100 billion CNG bus rollout programme, to deliver CNG-powered buses, as well as the establishment of a Presidential Committee to drive implementation.
He appealed to media editors to help combat the menace of misinformation, disinformation, and false narratives that threaten the fabric of society through fact-checking, responsible reporting, and promoting media and digital literacy.
