The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has announced plans to launch a global campaign against Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno; and former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over actions it said undermined press freedom in Nigeria.

Musikilu Mojeed, President of IPI Nigeria and Editor-in-Chief Premium Times, disclosed this on Wednesday during the launch of the institute’s Press Freedom Hub in Abuja.

The institute had previously listed the three individuals in what it described as a “Book of Infamy” for alleged actions considered detrimental to media freedom and journalists’ rights in the country.

Speaking at the event, Mojeed said the new facility would provide a secure space for the institute’s activities and strengthen advocacy efforts for press freedom.

He said, “More importantly, this Press Freedom Hub represents a renewed commitment to our core mandate: defending press freedom, advancing independent journalism, and ensuring the safety of journalists across and beyond Nigeria.

“It will serve as a centre for advocacy, dialogue, policy engagement, and continuous review of the state of media freedom in our country and beyond.”

Mojeed explained that the institute had initially suspended plans for a broader campaign following an appeal by Vice President Kashim Shettima during the organisation’s last annual conference.

“At the time, we deliberately refrained from launching a broader campaign against them out of deference to the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Kashim Shettima (GCON), who graciously attended our last annual conference and asked us to give him time to intervene. So, we allowed time for engagement, dialogue, and corrective action,” he said.

“Regrettably, no such action has been taken. As we stand here today, the concerns that led to their inclusion in that list remain valid, unaddressed, and ongoing.”

He added, “Therefore, from this very platform, from this new home of press freedom advocacy, we are announcing the relaunch and escalation of our efforts against these individuals and others whose names are in the Book.

“IPI Nigeria will initiate a global campaign to hold these individuals accountable until meaningful corrective steps are taken. We do not take this step lightly. But silence in the face of persistent violations is not an option.”

Commissioning the hub, Amina Salihu commended the institute, describing IPI Nigeria as a model in the effective use of resources.

She also described the organisation as a dependable ally of the MacArthur Foundation.

According to her, “The press, journalism, or the media is actually the information infrastructure that any democracy needs. Without an independent press, enduring democracy cannot stand.”

Dignitaries at the event included former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu; former Chief of Protocol to President Muhammadu Buhari, Lawal Abdullahi Kazaure; Group Chief Executive Officer of Media Trust Limited and Secretary of IPI Nigeria, Ahmed Shekarau; and Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of NatureNews, Aliyu Akoshile, among others. (Daily Trust)

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