Nigeria has agreed to host the maiden meeting of the African bloc of the National Committees of the International Press Institute (IPI), marking another milestone in its leadership role within the global media community.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, made the announcement during a weekend meeting in Vienna, Austria, with the Chairman of the IPI Executive Board, Mr Marton Gergely; the IPI Executive Director, Mr Scott Griffen; and IPI Executive Board Member representing Nigeria and Africa, Mr Raheem Adedoyin.
The IPI Board had earlier approved the creation of regional blocs of National Committees to address specific regional interests and strengthen cooperation within the institute’s global network.
“Nigeria agrees to host the maiden meeting of the African bloc. It is a great honour for us to lead, as we always do,” Idris said, recalling that the country successfully hosted the IPI World Congress and General Assembly in Abuja in 2018. He affirmed that Nigeria was prepared for another world-class hosting.
Although no specific date has been fixed, Mr Griffen stated that the IPI Secretariat in Vienna would coordinate with Mr Adedoyin and the IPI Nigeria National Committee to finalise arrangements.
Mr Gergely commended Nigeria’s strong democratic values and press freedom record, describing the country as a “leading light” in the region. Similarly, Mr Griffen lauded the IPI Nigeria National Committee for its active role in promoting press freedom and professional excellence.
During discussions, the Minister also revisited IPI Nigeria’s longstanding request for support to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Ogba, Lagos. He noted that the NIJ, founded by IPI in 1971 under the presidency of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, continues to play a vital role in journalism education under the chairmanship of former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.
Mallam Idris, a senior member of IPI, was among the registered participants at the recently concluded IPI World Congress and 75th Anniversary in Vienna.
The Nigerian delegation to the Congress included IPI Board Member Raheem Adedoyin; IPI Nigeria President Musikilu Mojeed; former Presidential Spokesman Garba Shehu; Dr Fabian Benjamin of JAMB; Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor; Patrons Media CEO Steve Ayorinde; Professor Abigail Ogwuensi of the University of Lagos; and IPI Nigeria Legal Adviser Tobi Soniyi.
