Preparations are currently underway for the 2018 World Congress of the International Press Institute as the Nigerian Chapter under the chairmanship of Kabiru Yusuf set to host the world press community. The press community which has a large number of members cutting across over 120 countries will converge in Nigeria come 2018 for the year’s congress. These preparations became needful following the approval for Nigeria to host the congress from the world executive committee.
Approvals to host such congresses are usually proceeded by a biding from interested countries which is then subjected to further evaluation and considerations by the body who has the right and authority to approve or decline. This time, the biding was reported to have been made by the chairman of the Nigerian chapter, in person of Kabiru Yusuf of Daily Trust Newspaper alongside Mallam Isma’iala Isa, a long standing member of the world executive committee of the IPI in Germany.
The senior special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu disclosed this while informing the general public the process that led to the approval.
“In making a strong case for Nigerian hosting of the world congress, the Nigerian team showed a six-minutes video showcasing the rich social and cultural heritage of the country and its outstanding values of media freedom, rich diversity and free flow of news.
“In a video message, a former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, himself a one-time chairman of the global media body and Alhaji Lai Mohammed the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism both called for support for Nigeria’s bid and invited editors, journalists and media executives around the world to come to Nigeria to witness an African country’s dedication to quality and independent journalism and the change that is happening within through a democratic process,” the senior special Assistant stated.
Responding on the decision for biding to host the congress, Kabiru Yusuf, the chapter chairman and publisher of the Daily Trust Newspaper stated that the move was for the good of the country, emphasising that the development will go a long way to present correct views to distorted notions about Nigeria as perceived by the world. “It will help to change a lot of wrong perceptions about our country.” He also made it known that the opportunity will not be taken for granted as it mattered to whatever the country will become. “We wont take it lightly because it means a lot for Nigeria,” the chairman said.
