Former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has asserted that he made a significant contribution to Nigeria’s media liberalisation and freedom of speech.
He said in his recently published autobiography, “A Journey In Service,” that the laws put in place during his rule helped the nation’s media ownership.
He stated that the media’s support of free speech is one factor contributing to the nation’s robust democratic system.
“Our media remains a source of strength and pride to all of us. We may have had differences in the information management practice among our media. But no one can deny that Nigeria’s robust media remains a source of strength,” he wrote.
“Our credentials as a democratic nation are partly due to the freedom of expression manifested by our media. In my little way, I am sure I have contributed to entrenching this most essential freedom of expression.
“Not only did we, as an administration, liberalise media ownership, but we also removed the mystery around media ownership.”
IBB underlined the value of media engagement, pointing out that he has been approachable and receptive to media relations ever since he retired.
“I am proud that our policy initiative in this regard facilitated an explosion of talent and investment in media enterprises,” he added.
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“Today, counting the number of radio stations, television stations, and online and real-time print media in our country is hard. In repetition of the famous Chinese saying, ‘Let a million flowers bloom’.
“In my retirement, I have opened my doors to the media. I have granted countless interviews, expressed countless views and, where necessary, been part of the tremendous Nigerian debate that keeps raging daily.
“Our nation is more beautiful because of the diversity of opinions and perspectives on any given issue.”
Babangida was head of state from 1985 to 1993. It was during his regime that Dele Giwa, the founding editor-in-chief of Newswatch Magazine, was killed by a parcel bomb at his Ikeja residence.
But Babangida said he was not the mastermind of Giwa’s assassination.
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