Kebbi Chief of Staff Seeks Constitutional Recognition of Media

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The Chief of Staff to Kebbi State Governor, Barrister Attahiru Maccido, has called for the media to be granted constitutional recognition as an arm of government, rather than being regarded merely as the “fourth estate of the realm.”

Maccido made the call on Monday during the maiden public lecture organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Birnin Kebbi. He stressed that the media remains a crucial pillar of Nigeria’s democracy.

“The role of the media in promoting and sustaining democratic principles cannot be overemphasised,” he said. “Journalists played a vital role in restoring democracy during the military era—an effort that many politicians should not ignore or forget.”

He noted that many journalists made enormous sacrifices in the struggle for democratic governance, adding: “For these reasons, the media deserves constitutional recognition as an arm of government, not just an informal institution in the democratic process.”

Maccido commended members of the Correspondents’ Chapel for their professionalism and ethical conduct despite the many challenges they face. He recalled the early days of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, when disseminating the party’s manifesto in Kebbi State proved difficult due to the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the local media. “But the chapel supported us by discharging their duties ethically and professionally,” he said.

Representing Governor Nasir Idris at the event, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of Kebbi citizens. He commended the Correspondents’ Chapel for its role in strengthening democratic governance, public enlightenment and accountability.

Also speaking, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Yahaya Sarki, said Kebbi State maintains a vibrant media environment that respects press freedom. He noted that the administration operates an open-door policy that guarantees freedom of expression, access to information and journalistic independence.

In the same vein, the Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment and Orientation, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar-Jambali, highlighted the government’s support for media practitioners through the provision of logistics, vehicles, monthly allowances and the ongoing construction of a modern press centre. “When the media thrives, democracy thrives,” he said.

Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Alhaji Kabiru Wurma, described the chapel as the live-wire of the NUJ, comprising competent journalists representing major national newspapers, radio stations and television networks. He said members consistently cover government and non-governmental activities for their respective organisations.

The lecture, themed “Media, Democracy and Good Governance,” was delivered by Dr Abdullahi Sani of the Department of European Language and Literacy Studies, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi.