The Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI) has inducted Inspector General of Police (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun and two state governors into its inaugural "Book of Infamy" for actions deemed harmful to press freedom, while commending the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, for positive reforms.
The announcement was made on Tuesday during IPI Nigeria's second annual conference in Abuja, where Vice President Kashim Shettima unveiled the book.
The governors named are Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, who barred a Channels Television crew from covering activities at the state government house, and Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State, who ordered the shutdown of private radio station Badeggi FM.
Despite appeals from IPI Nigeria, both leaders refused to reverse their decisions.IGP Egbetokun was cited for ignoring repeated calls to halt arbitrary arrests of journalists by police operatives across the country.
In contrast, DSS DG Ajayi was praised as a responsive leader who addressed IPI's concerns, notably by removing Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, from a government watchlist after four decades.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris, speaking as the special guest, underscored the Tinubu administration's commitment to a free press.
"A sure-footed, critical, and independent press is the central nervous system of a functioning democracy," he said, adding that security agencies now follow stricter protocols to protect journalists' rights during conflicts and protests.
Idris emphasized the government's efforts to foster an enabling environment for media outlets, rejecting any notion of systemic repression and calling for fact-based dialogue on press freedom.
The event highlighted ongoing tensions between Nigerian authorities and the media, with IPI Nigeria vowing to continue monitoring and advocating for journalistic rights.
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