Nigeria Restates Commitment To Promote Accurate, Timely Information

The Federal Government has restated its commitment in promoting accurate and timely information towards strengthening the nation’s democratic system.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris stated this in Abuja when he received the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Yu Dunhai.

Alhaji Idris said the two bilateral agreements out of ten signed by President Bola Tinubu last year between Nigeria and China would be utilized judiciously and would not tolerate abuse of privilege by dishing out fake news and misinformation.

According to the Minister, “China and Nigeria now on the bilateral level have a very comprehensive level of relationship.

”Meaning that we have taken it to the highest level possible and this has also led to the signing of about 10 Memoranda of Understanding in Beijing and two of those MOU”s are actually related to this ministry.”

“The Nigerian Television Authority, which is the largest television network in the whole of Africa with 100 stations covering this vast territory and reaching over 200 million people. It’s a very important station and what NTA seeks to do with the relationship with China is to share not just news items but also technology and information sharing that will benefit both countries and we intend to do that. We also have the same thing with one of the largest radio networks in Africa, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.”

“These two Memoranda of Understanding have already been signed and Nigeria intends to keep its own part of these agreements.”

Earlier, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai said the visit was to further strengthen bilateral relations between his country and Nigeria most especially in the areas of media content and information to promote economy development.

“As the new Ambassador, I am very lucky because I came when Nigeria under the leadership of President Tinubu is dedicated to the Renewed Hope Agenda to make Nigeria a strong nation and China under the leadership of of President Xi Jinping, we are marching towards national rejuvenation through the way of Chinese modernization.”

Ambassador Dunhai recalled that at the last Forum on China Africa Cooperation in Beijing, Presidents Xi Jinping and Tinubu had agreed to elevate the bilateral relations between Nigeria and China to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which aims to open a new chapter in their relationship.

He said he looked forward to the realization of the Memoranda of Understanding signed between Nigeria’s two foremost public broadcasters – the NTA and FRCN and the China Media Group, because the media plays an important role in shaping the society.

In the area of investment, the Ambassador said President Xi Jinping had pledged $50 billion for investment in Africa within the next three years in keeping with the 10 Memoranda of Understanding signed at the last Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Dignitaries from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation and officials from the Chinese embassy including the Director General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Dr. Mohammed Bulama. were in attendance during the visit.