The Ministry of Interior has strengthened its partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to enhance transparency, effective communication, and public engagement on internal security issues.

Members of the NUJ, led by its president, Alhassan Yahaya, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Tunji-Ojo appreciated the NUJ for their continued engagement, emphasising the media’s indispensable role in democratic governance and noting that government institutions could not operate in isolation.

“Where facts are not made available, assumptions take their place,” he said, stressing that proactive information dissemination shaped public perception and strengthened trust in public institutions.

He described the ministry-media relationship as a strategic partnership anchored on accountability, transparency, and national interest, welcoming proposals for structured engagements such as regular press briefings and interface sessions.

The minister commended the media for balanced coverage of the ministry’s activities, noting that constructive criticism contributed to policy refinement, governance improvement, and informed public discourse.

Earlier, Mr Yahaya said the visit aimed to foster stronger institutional ties and explore collaboration, praising the ministry’s reform initiatives in internal security.

He urged quarterly ministerial press briefings to keep Nigerians informed of reforms and sought collaboration in capacity development to equip journalists with skills in security reporting, national interest considerations, and responsible information dissemination.

Mr Yahaya also invited the minister to address the NUJ’s forthcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to further strengthen engagement and collaboration. 

(NAN)