By Abasi Ita
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has commended Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, for reviving the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation and transforming it into the Cross River Information Hub.
Idris gave the commendation on Thursday in Calabar during the official reactivation of the remodelled corporation and commissioning of the new Government Printing Press.
He described the development as more than the reopening of a building, saying it represented the restoration of an important institution, preservation of institutional memory and renewed confidence in credible information and professional journalism.
“Today is about much more than reopening a building or commissioning new equipment. It is about restoring an institution, preserving institutional memory and renewing confidence in the place of credible information, professional journalism and effective communication in governance,” Idris said.
He recalled that the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation, established in 1971, had for decades documented the affairs of government and the people through publications including the Nigerian Chronicle and Weekend Chronicle.
Idris commended Otu for rebuilding and repositioning the institution, saying the decision demonstrated recognition that information infrastructure was an important component of development.
“I congratulate Governor Bassey Otu for recognising that information infrastructure is itself an important component of development,” he said.
The minister said the People First philosophy of the Otu administration reflected the principle that government could not effectively serve citizens without effective communication.
“Citizens have a right to know what their government is doing, why decisions are being taken, what opportunities are available to them and how public policies affect their lives,” he said.
He urged the new Information Hub to become a centre for credible journalism, digital innovation, professional development and public engagement, capable of telling the Cross River story to Nigeria and the world.
Idris noted that although technology had transformed the way news was produced and consumed, credibility remained fundamental.
“The faster information travels, the greater the premium we must place on verification. Technology may change the tools of journalism, but it cannot replace truth, accuracy, fairness and professional judgement,” he said.
He also commended the state government for commissioning the Government Printing Press, stressing that official documentation remained essential in preserving institutional memory.
“The lesson is simple: a government that does not preserve its records risks losing its history; a people who do not document their journey leave others to tell their story,” Idris said.
On the 2027 general elections, the minister urged political actors, journalists and citizens to protect national unity and resist misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and incitement.
“Elections will come and go; Nigeria will remain,” he said, stressing the need for a peaceful, credible and transparent electoral process.
Idris charged journalists to verify claims before publication and resist sacrificing accuracy for speed or sensationalism.
“Political affiliation must never be allowed to displace professional judgement,” he said.
Defending the Federal Government’s removal of petrol subsidy, the minister acknowledged the hardship associated with the reform but said the solution was to accelerate its benefits rather than reverse it.
“The answer to the hardship associated with reform is not to dismantle reform; it is to accelerate its benefits,” he said.
He called for increased domestic refining, improved transportation, expanded social protection and greater opportunities for businesses.
The minister urged the management and staff of the Information Hub to justify the investment in the facility through professionalism, stressing that modern equipment alone could not guarantee credible journalism.
“The best equipment cannot replace professionalism. A modern newsroom cannot succeed without credible journalists,” he said.
He called for sustained training and retraining of journalists, editors, printers and communication professionals.
Idris congratulated Governor Otu, the Cross River State Government and all those involved in the transformation, expressing confidence that the Information Hub would strengthen the state’s voice, preserve its history and uphold truth and professionalism.
“May this institution strengthen the voice of Cross River, preserve its history, uphold truth and professionalism, and serve its people faithfully for generations to come,” he said.