President Bola Tinubu has assured journalists that his administration will not retaliate against those who criticise or attack him, saying the media remains essential to Nigeria’s development and accountability.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday in Abuja at the centenary celebration of the Daily Times and the unveiling of the Nigerian Grand Book and Times Heroes Awards.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the President said his administration remained committed to press freedom as guaranteed by the Constitution.
“Under this government, you can insult, attack the President and go to bed without midnight march,” Tinubu said.
He described the media as more than a source of information, saying it also serves as a custodian of Nigeria’s collective memory and plays a critical role in shaping the country’s future.
Tinubu also unveiled the Nigerian Grand Book, describing it as an opportunity for Nigerians to document the country’s history from their own perspective.
He said preserving the past was essential to building a better future, warning that nations that forget their history risk repeating their mistakes.
“History should not be a museum of yesterday. History should be an instrument of engineering tomorrow,” he said.
According to the President, the publication would also help preserve institutional memory and recognise Nigerians whose contributions have influenced the country’s development.
As the Daily Times marked 100 years, Tinubu urged Nigerians to look beyond the newspaper’s century-long history and consider what Nigeria could achieve over the next 100 years.
Adesina: Nation-building is a shared responsibility
The keynote speaker, former African Development Bank president Akinwumi Adesina, said the longevity of the Daily Times demonstrated the importance of continuity in nation-building.
Speaking on the theme, “Daily Times @ 100, Lessons in Nation Building,” Adesina said every generation inherited a foundation built by those before it and had a responsibility to leave a stronger one for those who followed.
He said Nigeria could not be built by one person or administration, but through the combined efforts of successive generations.
“Leadership is about stewardship,” Adesina said, stressing that the true measure of leadership was not only what an administration achieved but the foundations it left for the future.
He called for a Nigeria that embraces its diversity while remaining united around a common national purpose.
