OPENING REMARKS BY THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION, MOHAMMED IDRIS, AT THE SECOND EDITION OF THE MINISTERIAL PRESS BRIEFING SERIES, ORGANISED BY THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION, AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CENTER, RADIO HOUSE, ABUJA, ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024.
We are gathered here today for the second edition of the Ministerial Press Briefing Series (MPBS) organized by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, under my leadership.
Just two days ago, on Wednesday February 14, 2024, we were here with the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, to engage with you and provide insights into what the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration has been doing to address the challenges of the affordability, availability and accessibility of food in Nigeria.
As I noted at that maiden briefing, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation (FMINO) has a mandate to manage and enhance the image and reputation of the people and government of Nigeria, through a dynamic public information system that facilitates access to credible and timely information.
That is why we have launched this Ministerial Press Briefing Series (MPBS), to create a platform for you, distinguished members of the press, to hear from and engage with senior officials of the Federal Government, on behalf of the people of Nigeria. We have made efforts to ensure that this Briefing Series receives the widest possible coverage, through traditional and digital platforms.
Our special guest today, at this second edition of the Ministerial Pres Briefing Series, is my colleague, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite. She will speak about the important work that the Ministry is doing across the critical areas of attracting investment, expanding domestic and foreign trade, and advancing the industrialisation of Nigeria.
Let me again urge you, members of the press who are here with us today, or covering this virtually, to please report with accuracy and objectivity. We are here to enlighten, inform and educate Nigerians and the world. If in doubt about anything, please seek to clarify.
We have designed this to be an ongoing Series of briefings, which means that we will be extending additional invitations to you in the weeks and months ahead. As a government, we take our relationship with the media very seriously, and we will continue to create opportunities to engage with you, and with the Nigerian people.
I would like to close on this note, by emphasizing the fact that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the entire government fully understand the pains and challenges that Nigerians are going through at this time, and we are working very hard to alleviate these pains and bring lasting relief to all: individuals, households and businesses.
Just yesterday, the President met with the 36 State Governors, as part of efforts to scale-up the collaboration required to tackle the social and economic challenges confronting us. Indeed, the State Governments are just as critical as the Federal Government in the work that needs to be done.
We ask for your continued understanding, patience and belief in the Renewed Hope vision of Mr. President. We will keep you informed about everything we are doing to make the vision a reality.
I thank you all for joining us here today, and for helping to make this second edition of our Ministerial Press Briefing Series a resounding success.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
