I will serve truth to the Nigerian people and win trust, Information Minister Mohammed Idris pledges

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris says his ministry will drive President Bola Tinubu’s `Renewed Hope Agenda’ with dissemination of honest and sincere information.

The minister stated this on Monday when he assumed office and held the maiden meeting with heads and management staff of the agencies and departments under the ministry at the Radio House, Abuja.

Muhammed Idris says his office will truthfully disseminate programmes and activities of the federal government to engender people’s trust.

The Minister said this on Monday while briefing newsmen after the inauguration of 45 new ministers at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said that the management of government information was vital for the progress of the country nationally and internationally.

‘’As a minister of Information and National Orientation, I have the duty of telling Nigerians the true picture of what transpired about the various programmes and projects of the administration in all sectors.

“Being truthful and effective as minister of Information is essential to engender the trust of the people on various programmes and projects of the administration.

“I cannot say that it is a thankless job because the minister is only expected to truthfully disseminate the activities of the government.

“If you do that, then you are free with God and the people,’’ he said.

The minister, who said he was familiar with the information industry, pledged that dissemination of credible information would be his watchword.

“Mr President did not tell me to come and lie and this is a covenant I am going to have with you and Nigerians,

“Mr President is somebody who is a stickler for honesty, truth, and transparency.

“He has directed that we own up where there are mistakes, own up where we err, and we should not be shy to say ‘look, this is wrong, we are going to correct it’.

“National orientation will also be at the core of this ministry, in addition to the job of information dissemination as we know it,’’ he said.

Idris who said the ministry would unveil its agenda in the next few days, sought the support of the media and other stakeholders.

In her address of welcome, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Ngozi Onwudiwe pledged that the management and members of staff of the ministry as well as its agencies would co-operate with the minister to achieve his mandate.

“There is a popular saying that information is power and without information, the citizens may never know what the government is doing in terms of policies, programmes, and projects and how they can benefit from them

“Your Excellency, it is an understatement to say that your job is enormous and key for President Tinunu to achieve his mandate,’’ she said.

The Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Buki Ponle, in an interview, expressed confidence that Idris as a round peg in a round hole would record excellent performances in his new assignment.

“He has never failed in the past and I believe he is going to succeed in this task.

“As an agency we will do everything possible to make his tenure a success.

“We are ready; we are able and have committed workers who are going to work as they always do 24/7.

“I believe in my members of staff. I believe in their abilities, commitment and loyalty.

“I also believe in ensuring that Nigeria attains the greatest in whatever we are set to do’’ he said,

BRANDPOWER reports that two other ministers were received by the permanent secretary and the management staff at the Radio House.

They are, the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa and the Minister Of Tourism, Mrs Lola Ade-John.