SPEECH BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION, MOHAMMED IDRIS (FNIPR), AT THE MINISTERIAL BRIEFING SESSION HELD ON THURSDAY 13TH MARCH, 2025 AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CENTRE, ABUJA
Protocol.
It is my pleasure to formally welcome my colleagues, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmed, along with the Permanent Secretaries, directors, and heads of agencies of the ministries present, to the 4th edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series.
Today presents a valuable occasion for the Honourable Ministers to update Nigerians on the progress and key achievements recorded under their stewardship. This session is an interactive platform, leveraging multimedia channels to promote transparency and direct public engagement, offering firsthand insights into the policies, initiatives, and reforms shaping the ministries’ objectives.
Since the launch of the 2025 Series of the Ministerial Press Briefing, five Honourable Ministers have taken this stage to present their scorecards to Nigerians. As I have previously emphasized, each minister will be able to engage directly with the media during this forum.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, underscores the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability. It serves as a platform to keep Nigerians informed about ongoing policies and programmes of the Tinubu Administration to ensure that citizens remain actively engaged in the nation’s governance process.
We sincerely appreciate the media for their unwavering dedication in covering the Ministerial Briefing Session. Your efforts in keeping Nigerians informed about the administration’s policies, programmes, and achievements are truly commendable. As a cornerstone of our democracy, the media continues to play a crucial role in fostering an informed and engaged citizenry.
Our country stands at a critical juncture as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu implements bold and transformative reforms to lay the foundation for a new Nigeria. Across the world, history has shown that meaningful reforms are never easy; they demand sacrifice, resilience, and a commitment to long-term progress. The initial pains that often accompany these changes are the necessary price for a more stable and prosperous future.
I want to sincerely appreciate Nigerians for their patience, perseverance, and unwavering belief in the President’s vision. These reforms are not just well-intentioned, they are essential for the growth and development of our nation. Let me say that we have crossed the Rubicon, and the pains are gradually easing as the positive impact of these reforms begins to take shape. Already, we are witnessing a marked reduction in food prices, stability in exchange rates, and a gradual decline in the cost of petroleum products, which are clear indicators that the reforms are yielding positive results.
As we continue on this journey, I am appealing to our religious leaders to use this sacred period of Ramadan and Lent to offer prayers for the peace, security, and progress of our nation.
Last week, at the Annual Ramadan Lecture organized by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), and the Voice of Nigeria (VON) in Kaduna, I emphasized the vital connection between faith, politics, and governance. A nation thrives when its leaders govern with a sense of divine responsibility, and I assure you that President Tinubu leads with the utmost fear of God, guided by the conviction that history will judge his administration favourably.
I want to urge our Muslim and Christian leaders, particularly during this period of fasting and reflection, to continue to pray for Nigeria’s success. With unity, faith, and collective effort, we will emerge stronger, more resilient, and positioned for lasting prosperity.
Thank you.
