IPI to hold 2018 world congress in Abuja
The International Press Institute (IPI) said its annual World Congress will hold in Abuja, Nigeria from June 21 23, 2018.
A statement by Scott Griffen, Director of Press Freedom Programmes at the IPI said the theme for the congress is “Why Good Journalism Matters.”
The statement said “The world congress will affirm the indispensable role of quality media in building strong societies, showcasing investigative stories and projects that bring positive change to individuals and communities in Africa and around the world. It comes as media outlets everywhere face tremendous challenges not only in terms of economic survival, but also from a loss of public trust driven by governmental hostility to critical journalism and the rise of “fake news” and propaganda.
“IPI is thrilled to hold its 2018 World Congress in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, which boasts a vibrant and highly innovative media scene,” IPI Executive Director Barbara Trionfi said, after signing a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian Host Committee yesterday during an IPI Executive Board meeting in Washington, D.C.
Mallam Ismaila Isa, a former IPI Executive Board member from Nigeria, who signed the memorandum on behalf of the Host Committee, added: “Nigeria is prepared and looking forward to receiving the world’s media in June 2018. We hope to make this the most successful World Congress in the history of IPI.”
The Nigeria Host Committee is headed by Prince Nduka Obaigbena, President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN). In addition to Isa, other members of the Host Committee include Mallam Kabiru Yusuf, chairman of the Daily Trust newspaper; Mallam Garba Shehu, senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity; Mr Raheem Adedoyin, Secretary of IPI Nigeria National Committee; Mrs Funke Egbemode, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE); and Mr Waheed Odusile, President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).