Key Takeaways
- Tinubu says journalists have nothing to fear from his government for criticism or personal attacks.
- The President was represented by SGF George Akume at the Daily Times centenary and Nigerian Grand Book launch.
- Dr Akinwumi Adesina said nation-building spans generations and is strengthened by diversity.
- Media icons, governors and lawmakers received Times Heroes Awards in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to press freedom, saying journalists who criticise or attack him should have no fear of government reprisal. He spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the centenary celebration of the Daily Times and the unveiling of the Nigerian Grand Book and Times Heroes Awards.
Represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu described the media as a critical instrument of information, accountability and national memory. His message said, "The President recognises the role of the media in shaping the destiny of the nation, and hence his commitment, in line with the Constitution of our country, to the freedom of the press."
The message continued, "Let us admit openly that under this government, you can insult, attack the President and go to bed without midnight march."
History and the Nigerian Grand Book
Tinubu said nations that forget their past risk repeating mistakes, while nations that study their history can draw wisdom from their successes and failures. "History should not be a museum of yesterday. History should be an instrument of engineering tomorrow," he said. He added that the Nigerian Grand Book offers an opportunity to tell Nigeria’s story from a Nigerian perspective and preserve institutional memory for future generations.
Adesina on leadership and the next generation
Keynote speaker Dr Akinwumi Adesina, a former African Development Bank president, reflected on why Daily Times has survived for a century. In his speech titled "Daily Times @ 100, Lessons in Nation Building," he said nation-building is never achieved by one person or one administration but through successive generations.
"Leadership is about stewardship... the greater measure of leadership is not simply what did I achieve when I was there but what foundations did I leave behind on which a greater future can be built," Adesina said. He called on Nigerians to remain confident in diversity and united in purpose.
Honours, media icons and political leaders
The Daily Times publisher, Fidelis Anosike, honoured former editors Prince Sam Amuka-Pemu and Aremo Olusegun Osoba. Award recipients included the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Dr Akinwumi Adesina; ThisDay founding chairman Prince Nduka Obaigbena; Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo; and APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda. Numerous state governors and lawmakers, including Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, also received awards in different categories.
Why This Matters
Tinubu’s assurance separates press freedom from personal criticism, and his call for journalists to be fearless is a signal that independent reporting remains central to Nigeria’s democratic future.