Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has called on the government and the media to meet at the point of truth, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. Speaking at the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu, Mbah stressed that both institutions have different responsibilities but a common obligation to serve the Nigerian people. He urged journalists to go beyond headlines and political narratives by independently establishing facts through evidence, investigation, and context.
Mbah highlighted the importance of rigorous journalism, particularly in the era of artificial intelligence and other technologies that make it increasingly difficult to distinguish between genuine and fabricated information. He warned that AI can be used to fabricate photographs, clone voices, and manipulate videos, increasing the responsibility of professional journalists. The governor challenged editors to deepen investigative reporting and examine evidence to establish what happened, rather than searching for evidence to support a preconceived position.
The governor emphasized that the relationship between the government and the media should not always be defined by confrontation. He stated that government must be transparent about its actions and accountable for its results, while the press must independently scrutinize those actions and report the truth. Mbah noted that the obligation for both institutions is the same – serving the people of Nigeria – and that the truth may sometimes expose shortcomings or reveal progress.
Mbah used the occasion to highlight some of his administration's achievements, including the construction or reconstruction of over 1,500 kilometers of roads, over 7,000 classrooms, and Smart Green Schools and Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state's 260 wards. He also listed interventions in water infrastructure, new transport terminals, and CNG buses, Enugu Air, the revival of dormant industries, and the development of a new city.
The governor's administration is working to position Enugu as an economic gateway to the South-East, with the ambition of making the state one of Nigeria's leading economies and a national leader in human development and quality of life. He acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government, particularly in areas of roads, aviation, energy, and regional development.
Mbah urged the editors to use their presence in Enugu to independently assess the developments in the state. He invited them to explore the city, speak to the people who live and work there, and get a sense of the direction in which Enugu is moving. The governor expressed his commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that his administration is open about what it is doing and clear about what it is trying to achieve.
One of the highpoints of the opening ceremony was the presentation of a plaque for good governance to Governor Mbah by the Nigerian Guild of Editors. The conference, themed “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” brought together over 300 editors to discuss the role of the media in promoting democracy and good governance.
Key points
- Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah emphasizes the need for government and media to prioritize truth and transparency.
- Mbah highlights the importance of rigorous journalism in the era of artificial intelligence.
- The governor showcases his administration's achievements and ambitions for Enugu State.
