Nigeria has agreed to host the first-ever meeting of the African bloc of the International Press Institute (IPI) National Committees. The announcement comes from the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, during a high-level meeting in Vienna, Austria.
According to Mediaplusng.com, Idris met with the Chairman of the IPI Executive Board, Mr. Marton Gergely, IPI Executive Director, Mr. Scott Griffen, and IPI Board Member representing Nigeria and Africa, Mr. Raheem Adedoyin. The meeting followed IPI’s recent approval to create regional blocs within its global structure to better address regional interests and strengthen press freedom collaboration.
Speaking at the meeting, the Minister said, “Nigeria agrees to host the maiden meeting of the African bloc. It is a great honour for us to lead as we always do.” He recalled Nigeria’s successful hosting of the IPI World Congress and General Assembly in Abuja in 2018, adding that the country is fully prepared for another world-class event.
Although the date has not been confirmed, Mr. Griffen revealed that the IPI Secretariat in Vienna will work closely with Mr. Adedoyin and the IPI Nigeria National Committee to finalize the arrangements. The IPI Executive Board Chairman, Mr. Gergely, commended Nigeria for its leadership in democratic governance and commitment to a free press across the continent.
IPI Executive Director, Mr. Griffen, also praised the Nigeria National Committee for its strong advocacy and consistent efforts in promoting press freedom and professional journalism.
During his discussions, Minister Idris highlighted the ongoing need for IPI’s support to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Ogba, Lagos. He noted that the institute was founded by the IPI in 1971 under the presidency of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, with its current Governing Board chaired by former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.
Mediaplusng.com reports that the Minister, a senior member of IPI, participated in the just-concluded IPI World Congress and 75th Anniversary held in Vienna. The Nigerian delegation included IPI Board Member Raheem Adedoyin, IPI Nigeria President Musikilu Mojeed, former Presidential Spokesman Mallam Garba Shehu, and other prominent media professionals such as Dr. Fabian Benjamin, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Professor Abigail Ogwuensi, and Mr. Tobi Soniyi.
The forthcoming IPI Africa bloc meeting is expected to further strengthen collaboration among African journalists, promote press freedom, and position Nigeria once again as a continental leader in media and democratic development.
