President Bola Tinubu’s government has urged Nigerian media to portray the country in a good light to attract investors to the country.
“Your role as a primary source of information and keeping the public informed about economic trends is cut out for you. Timely and accurate reporting helps businesses make informed decisions, fostering a conducive environment for growth.
“I urge you to provide positive media coverage that can enhance investor confidence and attract the needed investments that fuel economic development in our county. The media’s role in portraying a favourable business environment contributes to the stability of financial markets,” said Mr Tinubu.
Mr Tinubu made this call through the minister of information, Mohammed Idris, who represented him at the 19th All Nigeria Editors Conference, organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, on Wednesday.
Mr Tinubu made this call despite his lingering certificate forgery scandal and his forfeiture of $460,000 linked to drug deal proceeds to the United States government in 1993.
The controversy around Mr Tinubu’s certificate and involvement in a drug deal back in the U.S. has continued to elicit criticisms from Nigerians, though the Supreme Court has affirmed Mr Tinubu’s electoral victory.
Peter Obi of the Labour Party, in one of his press conferences, said the lingering controversy over Mr Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate forgery portrays Nigerians in a bad light in the international communities.
“Uninformed outsiders now see Nigerians as fraudsters, certificate forgers or identity thieves. The controversy is unnecessary just as the implicit global embarrassment could be avoided, Mr Obi said. “In my opinion, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu should have saved the nation and himself this.”