Media C’ttee Makes Appeal on IPI 2018 Congress

The Nigeria media stakeholders have called for cooperation to ensure the success of the 2018 International Press Institute (IPI) World Congress scheduled to hold in Abuja in June this year.

The plea was made yesterday by a member of Programme and Event Committee, IPI 2018 Congress, Kabiru Yusuf, at the inaugural meeting of the organising committee, hosted in Abuja by the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

IPI Director, Barbara Trionfi, would visit the country next month for the stakeholders’ meeting to assess the level of preparedness for the event.

Over 300 delegates from 60 countries will attend the congress which has the theme: ‘Why Good Journalism Matters.’

Yusuf enjoined all stakeholders in the journalism profession to contribute immensely and ensure that Nigeria organises a historic conference that would attract participants worldwide.

He said the committee is seeking N200 million for the congress, stressing that the event would provide Nigerians the opportunity to showcase the country and local talents in the industry to the global audience.

“South Africa hosted the conference twice in 1994 and 2014, while Kenya followed suit thereafter. We have a challenge here because people want to go to Kenya. We are faced with a challenge to persuade foreigners on their own volition to take a flight to come and spend two days with us. All of us are doing it voluntarily. That is why we should do all we can to the glory of our country and to ourselves to make sure that we host the conference and get good participation,’’ Yusuf said.

He said so many questions were asked before Nigeria was awarded the hosting right, adding that they are trying to use the event to project the image of the country.

Yusuf stressed that the organising community would not rely on federal government funds even though they will be partnering government agencies.

‘‘We are not relying on the government to be the sponsor even though they are partners. At the end of day we will do our country proud if we are able to successfully host this important event,” Yusuf said.