Nigeria has been selected to host the maiden meeting of the African bloc of the National Committees of the International Press Institute (IPI).
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this during a meeting in Vienna, Austria, with the Chairman of the IPI Executive Board, Marton Gergely; the IPI Executive Director, Scott Griffen; and IPI Executive Board Member representing Nigeria and Africa, Raheem Adedoyin.
The IPI Board had earlier approved the creation of regional blocs of National Committees to better address regional interests within the global IPI community.
Minister Idris said Nigeria was honoured to host the inaugural meeting, noting that the country has a track record of successfully organizing world-class events, including the IPI World Congress and General Assembly held in Abuja in 2018.
While the date for the meeting is yet to be announced, the IPI Secretariat in Vienna is expected to work with Mr. Adedoyin and the IPI Nigeria National Committee to finalize details.
Chairman of the IPI Executive Board, Marton Gergely, described Nigeria as a leading light in democratic governance and press freedom, while the IPI Executive Director, Scott Griffen, commended IPI Nigeria for its consistent advocacy for media independence.
During his discussions with the IPI leadership, Minister Idris also revisited the request by IPI Nigeria for IPI’s support to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Lagos, which was founded by the IPI in 1971 under the presidency of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande. He noted that the NIJ Governing Board is currently chaired by veteran journalist and former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.
The Minister, a longstanding member of IPI, participated in the just-concluded IPI World Congress and 75th Anniversary in Vienna alongside other Nigerian delegates, including Raheem Adedoyin, Musikilu Mojeed, Garba Shehu, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, Rafiu Ajakaye, Steve Ayorinde, Professor Abigail Ogwuensi, and Tobi Soniyi
Bello Wakili
