The former National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Lai Mohammed has hailed the contribution of the Nigerian media to democracy.
Lai Mohammed
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, has described the Nigerian media as one of the most vibrant in Africa and indeed across the world.
Mohammed while speaking at the 3rd Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation in Beijing, China, on Tuesday, the Minister said the Nigerian media did not achieve its vibrancy by accident, saying apart from the fact that it derives its powers to function directly from the nation’s constitution, the Nigerian media has come a long way.
"Of course, the Nigerian media is a veteran of the country’s battle of independence, and of the battle to end long years of military rule in the country. Battle hardened over the years and empowered by the Constitution and the relatively new Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, you take on the Nigerian media at your own peril,’" he said.
He said unlike in other countries where the media is at the mercy of the government, the reverse is the case in Nigeria where, he said, the government is at the mercy of the media.