SPEECH BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION, MOHAMMED IDRIS (FNIPR), AT THE MINISTERIAL BRIEFING SESSION HELD ON TUESDAY 4TH MARCH, 2025 AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CENTRE, ABUJA
Protocol:
It is my pleasure to formally welcome my colleagues, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Honourable Minister of State, Senator John Owan Enoh, along with the Permanent Secretary, directors, and heads of ministry agencies, to this edition of the Ministerial Briefing Session.
Today marks an important opportunity for the Honourable Ministers to brief Nigerians on the successes and milestones achieved under their leadership. This session provides a multi-media platform for open engagement, allowing the public to gain firsthand insight into the policies, programmes, and reforms driving the ministry’s mandate.
As I have previously stated, every minister will have the opportunity to engage with the media during this Ministerial Press Briefing Session. This initiative is designed by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to keep Nigerians informed about the government’s activities to ensure that citizens remain active participants in the nation’s governance and development.
May I extend our heartfelt appreciation to the media for your dedicated coverage of the Ministerial Briefing Session. Your commitment to informing and enlightening Nigerians about the policies, programmes, and achievements of this administration is invaluable. The media remains a vital pillar in our democracy by ensuring that the people remain informed, engaged, and empowered to participate actively in the governance process.
Democracy is not an end in itself but a means to promote freedom, liberty, and the socioeconomic development of our nation. It thrives on informed discourse, constructive engagement, and a shared commitment to national progress. Your role in disseminating factual, balanced, and development-focused reports is crucial in consolidating the gains of our democracy and guaranteeing that Nigerians understand the transformative strides being made across various sectors.
As we continue on this journey of the Renewed Hope Agenda being driven by the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), I urge the media to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, responsibility, and professionalism. In an era where misinformation and sensationalism can easily distort public perception, your commitment to truth and fairness is more important than ever. We must work together to ensure that the narratives shaping public discourse reflect the realities of governance, devoid of bias or undue sensationalism.
The signing of the N54.2 trillion budget by President Bola Tinubu, the largest in Nigeria’s history, testifies to the administration’s commitment to economic growth, national security, infrastructure development, and human capital advancement.
This year, 2025, is set to be the year of consolidation – a year where all the transformative reforms initiated by President Tinubu’s administration begin to bear tangible fruits in the lives of Nigerians. Already, we are witnessing a gradual reduction in the prices of foodstuffs, which is bringing much-needed relief to the people.
The 2025 budget is not just a financial document; it is a bold statement of intent – a roadmap for economic resilience, social stability, and national progress. The budget has demonstrated a renewed focus on security, infrastructure, education, health, solid minerals, agriculture, and other key areas that have a direct impact on the well-being and socio-economic development of the country.
Let me give the assurances that the Federal government remains committed to the efficient implementation of this budget in order to maximize its full impact on the lives of our citizens. I therefore call on all Nigerians to support these efforts and join hands in building a prosperous and united Nigeria.
It is now my singular honour to invite the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole to brief the media.
