…Says He Never Victimized, Compromised Their Profession
By Victoria Benedict
President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted that all through their eight years in the saddle of leadership, he never did anything to compromise the Journalism profession or infringe on the rights of the practitioners.
Buhari said this as he joined the world in commemorating the International Press Freedom Day, which is held every May 3.
A statement by Femi Adesina, Buhari’s media aide, which was made available to journalists on Tuesday, noted that this year’s celebration marks 30 years since the UN General Assembly’s decision proclaiming an international day for press freedom.
The President described the day set aside for it as a landmark tribute to media professionals, who risk their lives to keep society informed and educated.
Writing on this year’s theme, which is “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”, Buhari said he was particularly delighted that the rights of Nigerian journalists have been protected and upheld in the past eight years.
According to him, “We have kept the faith. We have ensured that Nigerian journalists have had unfettered freedom to practice their art, and on this occasion of World Press Freedom Day, we recommit to that resolution, even as we wind down in office”.
Buhari, however, tasked media professionals to continue to be patriotic, while working for the cohesion of the country, and exercise their freedom with a high deal of responsibility.
