Wife of the President, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, has applauded journalists in Nigeria for keeping Nigerians informed and educated on happenings around them. She made the commendation during the formal launch of the Presidential Diary Magazine, in Abuja, Tuesday.
Mrs. Buhari, who was represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo, said journalists have a responsibility to ensure fairness and balance in the way they report their news, saying, as an agenda setting organ in the society, media influences public opinion. She therefore called on media practitioners to be patriotic in the discharge of their professional duties.
Mrs. Buhari commended the publishers of the Presidential Diary Magazine for supporting government through the dissemination of information and educating Nigerians on its public-spirited programmes, praying that the Magazine will continue to tell people what is going on in the corridors of power, where most of them have no opportunity to reach.
Speaking earlier, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, the publisher of the Presidential Diary Magazine said the Magazine, which has been published since 2015, is a deliberate objective of bridging the communication gap between government and its citizens.
“As my own corporate social responsibility, I decided to assemble a crop of seasoned journalists together to assist me in realizing this vision.” Dr. Jimoh said.
“Government is doing so much but very little is being reported. The citizens who are supposed to take ownership of the lofty programmes of government need to know more about them.” Said Dr. Jimoh, and that information on these programmes will enable citizens to appreciate them and take ownership.
Dr. Jimoh called on journalists to do more to publicize the policies, programmes and activities of government.
Highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Magazine by Mrs Osinbajo.
Others at the event include Senator Ahmed Yerima, former Governor of Zamfara state, Dame Pauline Tallen, former Deputy Governor of Plateau state, Hon. Timothy Golu, who represented the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Hajiya Binta Muazu, an associate of the Wife of the President.