The International Press Institute (IPI) on Wednesday recorded another feat with the opening of Nigeria’s new headquarters in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a place where the institute assets can be securely housed, where members can convene, and where ideas can be shaped into action.
Penpushing reports that President of the Institute, Nigeria Chapter Musikilu Mojeed in his welcome speech at the well-attended ceremony, stated that it was historic, noting that since 1970 when the institute commenced operations, often operating from the office of its sitting president
‘This moment is not just symbolic. It is historic. Since the 1970s, when IPI Nigeria began operating in our country, the organisation has largely functioned without a permanent home, often operating from the office of its sitting president’, Mojeed said.
‘Today, that changes. With this new facility, we are establishing, for the first time, a dedicated institutional home for IPI Nigeria, a place where our assets can be securely housed, where members can convene, and where ideas can be shaped into action’, he added.
‘More importantly, this Press Freedom Hub represents a renewed commitment to our core mandate: defending press freedom, advancing independent journalism, and ensuring the safety of journalists across Nigeria and beyond’.
Penpushing further reports that Mojeed emphasized that it will serve as a centre for advocacy, dialogue, policy engagement, and continuous review of the state of media freedom in the country and beyond.
‘However, as we celebrate this milestone, we must also confront the realities that make our work necessary. You will recall that in December 2025, IPI Nigeria named three individuals in our “Book of Infamy” for actions that undermine press freedom: the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago; the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno; and the former Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’, he recalled.
‘At the time, we deliberately refrained from launching a broader campaign against them out of deference to the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Kashim Shettima (GCON), who graciously attended our last annual conference and asked us to give him time to intervene’.
‘So, we allowed time for engagement, dialogue, and corrective action.Regrettably, no such action has been taken. As we stand here today, the concerns that led to their inclusion in that list remain valid, unaddressed, and ongoing’, Mojeed stressed.
‘Therefore, from this very platform, from this new home of press freedom advocacy, we are announcing the relaunch and escalation of our efforts against these individuals and others whose names are in the Book’.
‘IPI Nigeria will initiate a global campaign to hold these individuals accountable until meaningful corrective steps are taken. We do not take this step lightly. But silence in the face of persistent violations is not an option’.
‘This new Press Freedom Hub is not just a building. It is a statement. A statement that the defence of press freedom in Nigeria is entering a new phase: more structured, more visible, and more resolute’.
‘We invite all stakeholders (government, civil society, media professionals, and the international community) to partner with us in this mission. Together, we can build a media environment that is free, safe, and truly independent’, he emphasized
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