By Solomon OKPO | The Evangelist Science/Tech Desk
The Federal Government has commended Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, for the reactivation of the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation, describing the initiative as a significant investment in democracy, institutional memory and credible public communication.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the commendation on Thursday in Calabar during the official reactivation of the remodelled corporation, now renamed the Cross River Information Hub, alongside the commissioning of a new Government Printing Press.
Idris described the occasion as more than the reopening of a government facility, saying it represented the restoration of an important institution and renewed confidence in credible information, professional journalism and effective communication between government and citizens.
He commended the Otu administration for choosing to rebuild the corporation rather than abandon it, recalling that the institution, established in 1971, had served Cross River State for decades through publications including the Nigerian Chronicle and Weekend Chronicle.
According to the minister, Governor Otu’s People First philosophy underscores the importance of effective communication in democratic governance.
“Government cannot effectively serve people without effectively communicating with the people. That is why this new Cross River Information Hub is important,” Idris said.
The minister also highlighted the profound changes taking place in the media industry as a result of digital technology and artificial intelligence.
He, however, stressed that technological advancement could not replace the fundamental principles of journalism, including truth, accuracy, fairness and professional judgement.
“Technology may change the tools of journalism, but it cannot replace truth, accuracy, fairness and professional judgement,” he said.
Idris charged the management and staff of the Cross River Information Hub to transform the facility into a centre for credible journalism, digital innovation, professional development and meaningful public engagement.
He also urged journalists to uphold professional ethics and accuracy, warning that public confidence, once lost, could be difficult to restore.
Speaking on the Federal Government’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy, the minister described the policy as difficult but necessary to free resources for critical sectors of the economy.
He said the focus should now be on ensuring that the reforms deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians rather than returning to an arrangement that was no longer financially sustainable.
As the country approaches the 2027 general elections, Idris urged political actors and media practitioners to promote national unity and resist misinformation, disinformation and hate speech.
He said the 2027 elections would test not only the country’s political institutions but also the integrity of its information ecosystem.
The minister further called on the Cross River State Government to sustain investment in the training and professional development of journalists, editors, printers and other communication professionals.
In his remarks, Governor Otu said the reactivation of the corporation fulfilled his administration’s commitment to strengthening the state’s information assets and ensuring effective two-way communication between government and citizens.
Otu recalled that during his first media parley after assuming office, he had pledged to promote the free flow of information from government to the people and vice versa.
He said the administration had already upgraded transmission equipment and renovated office facilities at the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation as part of its broader efforts to strengthen the state’s communication infrastructure.
The governor disclosed that the editorial board of the Cross River Information Hub would be mandated to develop a Critical Response Initiative aimed at providing real-time information, countering misleading reports and communicating emergencies within and outside the state.
Otu described the Nigerian Chronicle as one of Cross River’s most important information platforms, noting that the publication had remained largely inactive for about two decades.
He further disclosed that the newspaper corporation’s complex was vandalised during the #EndSARS protests in 2020, making its rehabilitation imperative.
“Considering the importance of the print media, I set every machinery in motion to re-equip the facility and put it back to use, as well as renovating the entire complex,” the governor said.
According to him, the state government invested significant resources in procuring and installing modern printing machines and accessories.
Otu urged the management and staff to justify the investment through hard work, professionalism and responsible management, while also protecting the facilities against vandalism.
The reactivation of the Cross River Information Hub and commissioning of the new Government Printing Press mark a major step in the state’s efforts to modernise its information and communication infrastructure while preserving its rich history in public-sector journalism.
