The Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Alhaji Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, has said that the growth of democracy and national development depends on mutual trust and cooperation among the government, the media and the public.
Abdulaziz made this known in his welcome address at the opening of the inaugural Arewa Media Summit, held on Monday in Kano.
He said the summit brought together government officials, journalists, digital content creators, social media influencers and other stakeholders to discuss ways of strengthening government-public relations through truthfulness, integrity and ethical journalism.
According to him, the summit’s theme, “Government-Citizen Accord: Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Media Practice,” is timely, coming at a period when there is an urgent need to rebuild trust between government and the people.
He stated that government has the responsibility of ensuring access to information, while citizens have the duty to verify information before sharing it and to hold government accountable in a peaceful and constructive manner.
He described the media as the bridge between government and the public, noting that professional journalism and fact-based reporting contribute significantly to peace, national unity and sustainable development.
Abdulaziz also stressed that social media influencers have become major drivers of information dissemination and therefore must verify the authenticity of information before publishing it.
“Today, a single post can inspire hope or ignite conflict within moments. The pursuit of popularity or online engagement should never become the cause of plunging the nation into crisis,” he said.
He further stated that as the 2027 general elections approach, social media users must see themselves as custodians of peace and should be willing to correct any misinformation they may inadvertently spread.
Abdulaziz disclosed that, as part of the summit’s activities, more than 100 supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had been trained on effective communication strategies and how to properly articulate government policies and achievements.
He also announced the launch of the Gani-Ya-Kori-Ji initiative, which will tour the states of Northern Nigeria to identify and showcase development projects executed by the Federal Government and state governments, particularly those that have received little public attention.
According to him, the summit reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to protecting freedom of expression, promoting constructive dialogue and deepening democratic governance.
He explained that the event was designed to provide a platform for diverse opinions and stakeholders from across Northern Nigeria to engage in meaningful discussions on the future of government-citizen relations.
In his closing remarks, Abdulaziz commended the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, for accepting to host the summit, describing Kano as a longstanding centre of politics, commerce and public discourse in Nigeria.
He urged participants to come up with fresh commitments that would promote open governance, strengthen media ethics and improve relations between government and the people.
