Tinubu Hails Role Of Media In Nigeria's Democracy

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, April 12, (THEWILL) - The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has hailed the role of the Nigerian media in entrenching democracy in the country, saying the media has served as an advanced guard for democracy.

Tinubu, who stated this in his brief remarks at the launching of the building fund of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), in Abuja, wondered what would have become of Nigeria's democratic destiny if the media had not stood in defense of the rights of the people .

'Nigeria would have become a huge barracks run by the men in uniform and their civilian confederates.

Because you manned the barricades alongside pro-democracy activists and progressive civil society, the reign of the jackboots ended as Nigeria rediscovered constitutional rule,' he said.

The APC leader who also condemned the alleged hounding of political opponents by the Federal Government, said: 'To save Nigeria, we need a whistle blower or a courageous town crier to alert and wake us, ' adding 'In this vein, the media remains the one vital institution upon which we depend to play the role of watchdog.

' He however called on the media to place the political system under watch and hold those who operate it accountable to the people.

The Guild of Editors should be in the vanguard to build a new Nigeria.

As an organisation for journalists who have achieved the exalted position of Editor at their various publications or media organisations, The Guild possesses the caliber of people that can lead other journalists in the right direction towards crisp investigative and reporting and political analysis.

'If you maintain your integrity and that of your publication, if you show the way by example, If you remain objective, open and uncompromising, you will show the path for the media, the political class and others to follow,' he added.