Alhaji Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, has described the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, as Africa’s greatest pacesetter whose legacies will continue to reverberate.
Idris, alongside other media practitioners including former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the remark at the second Alhaji Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture on Tuesday in Lagos.
The annual memorial lecture was organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and had the theme: “Rapidly Changing Media Landscape: Media Survival Strategies”.
Idris, who was represented by Malam Ali M. Ali, the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that Jakande’s legacies, ideals and leadership styles would continue to inspire generations unborn.
“We must not lose what is real in the horizon, editors have to be more vigilant and learn from the master who we are celebrating today, one of Africa’s greatest.
“Late Lateef Jakande – his ideals, his leadership as a politician was clearly a pacesetter. He deserves deeper respect,” Idris said.
The minister, who is a media entrepreneur and renowned journalist, expressed his deep appreciation to the NGE for their support to the government of the day.
Noting that certainly Nigeria was going through trying times, Idris commended the professionalism of the guild “at a time when fake news has taken front row”.
He said that the NGE had been taking its leading place and contributing to media growth and training, while also reshaping the skills of editors.
The minister, who commended the “can do spirit” of the Lead Speaker and Chairman, ThisDay/Arise Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, said that he possessed the experience to deliver the lecture on the rapidly changing media landscape and survival strategies.
“Over the years, we have seen how the media has reinvented itself expanding the frontiers of publishing.
“The guild in the last couple of years has actually taken its rightful place from the time it came into existence. I must commend the leadership of the guild for contributing to media growth,” he said.
Idris urged the media to attract the young by spreading out to social media and other platforms.
Corroborating, Idris’ predecessor, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that Jakande, the founding President of the guild, fought for the press freedom journalists enjoyed today.
Mohammed, who noted that Jakande practised journalism at a most difficult time, said he was fearless and courageous.
“I am glad to honour an Icon, ” he said.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the NGE President, Mr Eze Anaba, said Jakande with his colleagues, associates and students worked assiduously to create the platform for editors in 1961.
Anaba said that the platform was for the purpose of addressing issues bedeviling the media.
“The man, in whose honour this lecture was instituted, lived a principled and impactful life. Alhaji Jakande devoted his entire professional and political career to advancing liberty and social justice.
“He also exemplified the value of honesty, integrity, courage and fairness. He told the story of the powerless and held the powerful into account and he demonstrated commitment to journalists’ freedom and long-term survival,” Anaba said.
On the theme, the NGE president noted that “besides change in the circumstances in which we report, produce and distribute the news, the cost of production has hit the roof and sales have fallen daily.
“As media managers, we have to think of innovative and sustainable issues. We should also find a way of addressing the impact of new technology in every part of our law as journalists and media practitioners.
“We have to work harder and do more to adjust and adapt to survive and bring our work to the audiences.”
Many eminent journalists, professionals and media owners took turns to proffer solutions and the way forward for the survival of the media in the ever-changing landscape.
Appreciating the NGE on behalf of the family, Jakande’s first son, Deji, said that their father’s name had always been a challenge to them, assuring that the children would not disappoint Nigerians.(NAN)
