The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the announcement over the weekend in Vienna, Austria, during a meeting with IPI leaders — the Executive Board Chairman, Marton Gergely; Executive Director, Scott Griffen; and Board Member representing Nigeria and Africa, Raheem Adedoyin.
The IPI Board had earlier approved the creation of regional blocs of National Committees to address specific regional concerns within the global IPI community. Idris said Nigeria was honoured to host the maiden meeting, noting that the country had a strong record of leadership within the IPI.
He recalled that Nigeria successfully hosted the IPI World Congress and General Assembly in Abuja in 2018, adding that the country was once again ready for a world-class event. Although no date has been fixed, Griffen said the IPI Secretariat in Vienna would work with Adedoyin and the IPI Nigeria National Committee to finalize arrangements.
Gergely described Nigeria as a leading light in democratic governance with a vibrant and free press, while Griffen commended the IPI Nigeria National Committee for its robust engagement in promoting press freedom.
During the meeting, Idris also raised the issue of support for the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Ogba, Lagos, which was founded by the IPI in 1971 during the presidency of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande. The institute’s governing board is currently chaired by former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.
The minister, a long-standing IPI member, attended the just-concluded IPI World Congress and 75th Anniversary in Vienna alongside a Nigerian delegation that included Raheem Adedoyin, Musikilu Mojeed, Garba Shehu, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, Rafiu Ajakaye, Steve Ayorinde, Professor Abigail Ogwuensi, and Tobi Soniyi.
