The Spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lauded the “intellectual courage” of journalists documenting the country’s democratic journey, following a high-profile media engagement in Abuja.
Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa hosted veteran media executive and author Segun Ojumu on Monday, for a session that highlighted the evolving role of the press in democratic governance and the importance of preserving institutional memory.
The meeting centered on the presentation of Mr. Ojumu’s newly published book, which offers a rare, first-hand look at the “professional hazards and personal risks” faced by reporters covering elections in Africa’s most populous democracy.
Chronicling the frontline of democracy
Mr Ojumu, a former President of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Press Corps, explained that the publication was born from a need to record the experiences of over 100 journalists across various platforms.
The book serves as both a historical record and a practical manual, detailing:
Life-threatening assignments: Personal accounts of election coverage that escalated into dangerous situations.
Technological evolution: A timeline of INEC’s institutional growth, from manual voting systems to the latest digital accreditation technologies.
Field guidance: Essential lessons and safety protocols for the next generation of political reporters.
“Documentation is a reminder of the value of institutional memory,” Mr Ojumu noted, revealing that many of the book’s historical photographs were retrieved from digital archives he had preserved for decades.
‘Acts of bravery’
Responding to the presentation, Mr Ebienfa described the decision to document these experiences as an “act of professional bravery.” He noted that writing on sensitive electoral processes exposes an author to scrutiny across generations, a task that requires immense discipline.
“Authorship is a demanding endeavour,” the spokesperson said. “Committing one’s work to scholarship in this field is worthy of high recognition.”
The digital shift: Traditional vs Emerging Media
The engagement also touched on the rapid transformation of Nigeria’s media landscape. Mr Ebienfa observed that the industry is currently being “redefined” by digital innovation, speed, and accessibility.
He argued that smaller, emerging media platforms are now playing an “increasingly influential role” in shaping public discourse, often placing pressure on legacy media models to adapt to the consumption patterns of younger audiences.
“Many established media organisations began as modest initiatives,” the spokesperson remarked. “The growth of new platforms should be encouraged rather than dismissed.”
A partnership for the future
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with media professionals who adhere to ethical journalism.
The engagement concluded with a shared vision of deepening the relationship between the government and the press to support democratic accountability and enhance Nigeria’s international image.
Add Comment