Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma advocates for a national media centre in Abuja to honour Raymond Dokpesi and protect journalism.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma proposed the establishment of a national media centre in Abuja during the third Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture, held on Sunday.
The event was organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in collaboration with DAAR Communications Plc, focusing on media development, according to information published by The Sun Nigeria.
Governor Uzodimma urged the government to stop viewing journalists as enemies and warned that poor remuneration, political interference, and economic vulnerability threaten press freedom across Nigeria.
Raymond Dokpesi Legacy and Media Research Centre
Honouring the late founder of DAAR Communications, Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, the proposed hub will promote research into development journalism and economic growth.
Governor Uzodimma pledged to lead the campaign for the facility, stating that the best tribute to Dokpesi is protecting the independence he helped advance.
He emphasized that the centre will explore how media organisations can be better deployed to support national development without compromising journalistic integrity.
Government and Media Partnership in Nigeria
Addressing the relationship between public officials and reporters, Hope Uzodimma called for a mindset shift to treat the press as vital development partners.
He acknowledged that public officials often face uncomfortable headlines, but argued that independent scrutiny remains a necessary price of public power in a democracy.
Any public officer seeking exclusively favourable coverage is treating the press as a publicity department, according to the Imo State Governor.
Press Freedom and Financial Challenges
The governor identified several major threats facing the media industry, including editorial interference by proprietors, delayed salaries, and inadequate staff welfare.
He also highlighted the growing economic vulnerability of newsrooms as traditional advertising revenues migrate to global digital platforms.
To combat this, Uzodimma urged collaboration among government, advertisers, and technology companies to create sustainable funding models for independent journalism.
A New Pact for Democratic Consolidation
Highlighting the requirements for sustainable democracy, the governor called for a three-way pact connecting government, media practitioners, and ordinary citizens.
He advised citizens to verify information carefully before sharing it on digital platforms and to reject divisive ethnic baiting.
Media owners were similarly urged to prioritize high professional standards and continuous training above partisan commercial interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who proposed the national media centre in honour of Raymond Dokpesi?
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma proposed the establishment of the national media centre during the third Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture in Abuja.
Which organisations organised the lecture where the proposal was made?
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations organised the event in collaboration with DAAR Communications Plc, founded by the late High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi.
What threats did Governor Uzodimma identify against press freedom in Nigeria?
Governor Uzodimma identified poor pay, ownership interference, political intimidation, harassment of journalists, and the migration of advertising revenue to global digital platforms.
What did Governor Uzodimma say about the relationship between government and the press?
He warned government officials at all levels to abandon paranoid attitudes, urging them to view journalists as development partners rather than adversaries.
