•As Nggossips names him ‘Image Maker of the Year’
By Joseph Erunke
Abuja: Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Wednesday urged Nigerian media organisations to resist narratives capable of portraying the country as being on the brink of collapse, insisting that Nigeria is not at war with itself but with enemies determined to undermine national peace and progress.
Idris spoke in Abuja while receiving a nomination letter from Nggossips Newspapers, which named him “Chief Image Maker of the Year” at its annual awards ceremony scheduled for April 24, 2026, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. The minister, who expressed gratitude for the recognition, said the honour came as a surprise because he had merely been discharging his duties as a public servant.
“I was only doing my job. I didn’t know that people were watching and found me worthy of this award as Image Maker of the Year,” he said.
He thanked Nggossips Newspapers, members of the media industry, and Nigerians for recognising the efforts of the Ministry of Information and National Orientation in improving the country’s image and sustaining public confidence in government policies and programmes.
Idris appealed to journalists and media owners to promote stories that unite the country and encourage development, especially as Nigeria grapples with insecurity, ongoing reforms, and efforts to attract foreign direct investment.
According to him, the media plays a major role in shaping public perception and strengthening national confidence. “We don’t feel happy when all we see is bad news on the front pages of newspapers,” the minister said.
“At a time the government is repositioning the country through various reforms instituted by President Bola Tinubu, facing security challenges, and when the economy is beginning to receive positive global attention, this is not the time for disillusionment. It is not the time to show anger. It is time for all of us to come together,” he said.
He warned that alarming headlines suggesting Nigeria is collapsing or at war could damage investor confidence and inadvertently serve the interests of terrorist groups.
“When the media promotes headlines that suggest the country is disintegrating or in a state of war, it cannot help anybody,” he said.
“At a time we are calling for foreign direct investment and the international community is beginning to see our economy improving, this is the time for reflection, repositioning, and unity.”
Idris acknowledged that Nigeria still faces serious security challenges but insisted that government efforts are yielding results. He cited improved inter-agency collaboration, increased defence funding, and the arrest of several notorious terrorists as evidence of progress.
“We have the largest budgetary provision for defence in the history of this country. We are seeing improved synergy between the Army, Air Force, Navy, and intelligence agencies,” he said.
“For the first time, some of the world’s most wanted terrorists were apprehended by our security agencies last year. People tend to forget that.”
He stressed that terrorists thrive on fear and propaganda, warning the media against amplifying messages capable of dividing Nigerians.
“We cannot cede our front pages and headlines to terrorists. This is exactly what they want — to create fear and divide us along religious and ethnic lines,” he said.
Idris maintained that Nigeria is not at war with itself.
“Nigeria is not in a state of war. Nigeria is not at war with its citizens, neither are Nigerians at war with themselves. We are only at war with the enemies of Nigeria — terrorists, criminals, and those who do not want this country to work,” he said.
He called on journalists to support national development efforts, stressing that nation-building requires collective responsibility.
Idris also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to press freedom, saying the government would continue to protect freedom of expression.
He dedicated the award to journalists across the country working under difficult conditions and paid tribute to Nggossips founder, Sam Amuka-Pemu, describing him as a symbol of resilience, patriotism, and mentorship in journalism.
Earlier, Nggossips’s Regional Editor (Northern Operations), Mr. Soni Daniel, said the newspaper honoured Idris for his role in managing the government’s image and countering fake news and disinformation.
He said Idris had demonstrated uncommon skill in communicating government policies despite the challenges of his office, adding that his efforts had helped improve public understanding and confidence in government programmes.
Daniel said the nomination was based on these achievements and formally presented the letter on behalf of Nggossips Media Limited’s management and editorial board.
The delegation included the Abuja Bureau Chief, Mr. Eman Ujah, and the newspaper’s correspondent covering the ministry, Mr. Joseph Erunke.
Article Nigeria not at war with itself but enemies— Information Minister, Idris Live On NgGossips.
