SPEECH BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION, MOHAMMED IDRIS (FNIPR), AT THE MINISTERIAL BRIEFING SESSION HELD ON THURSDAY 20TH MARCH, 2025 AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CENTRE, ABUJA.
Protocol.
It is a privilege to warmly welcome my distinguished colleagues, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as well as the Permanent Secretaries, Directors, and Heads of Agencies present, to the fifth edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series.
This session is a vital opportunity for the Honourable Ministers to update Nigerians on the progress and significant milestones achieved under their stewardship. Through this interactive forum, which is enhanced by multimedia channels, we reaffirm our commitment to transparency and public engagement by providing direct insights into the policies, initiatives, and reforms shaping the ministries’ objectives.
The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Tuggar, a seasoned diplomat, deserves commendation for his commitment to promoting Nigeria’s image on the global stage through proactive diplomacy, strategic international engagements, and a clear articulation of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.
Similarly, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Tunji-Ojo, has brought remarkable innovation towards repositioning the Ministry in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR). Under his leadership, the ministry has undergone transformative changes that have significantly enhanced the ease and efficiency with which Nigerians engage with and access its services.
Since the launch of the 2025 Series of the Ministerial Press Briefing, seven Honourable Ministers have taken this stage to present their scorecards to Nigerians. Let me re-emphasize that each minister will have the opportunity to engage directly with Nigerians during this forum leading up to the 2025 Democracy Day celebrations.
This initiative, being driven by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, highlights the government’s commitment to accountability. It equally serves as a platform to keep Nigerians informed about the ongoing policies and programmes of the Tinubu Administration to foster active citizens’ engagement in the nation’s governance process.
I would like to once again express my appreciation to the media for your dedication in covering the Ministerial Briefing Session. Today’s briefing takes place within a significant period, as the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is marking its 70th anniversary. This is a milestone that reflects NUJ’s enduring commitment to press freedom and journalistic excellence.
I hereby take the liberty to reaffirm the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration to upholding press freedom and creating a conducive environment for media practice in Nigeria. This administration believes that a free and responsible press is essential for good governance, transparency, and national development.
I want to re-emphasize that President Tinubu, as a foremost democrat, is fully committed to protecting the constitutionally guaranteed rights of all Nigerians, and also encourages constructive criticism and healthy opposition because of their essential role in reinforcing and deepening our democratic framework.
It is now my singular honour and privilege to invite the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Tuggar to brief the media.
