Media Should be Arm of Government, Not Just Fourth Estate - Kebbi Chief of Staff

By Umar Faruk

Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria - November 17, 2025(Series news online)

The Chief of Staff to Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi, Alhaji Attahiru Maccido, has called for constitutional recognition of the media as an arm of government, rather than the traditional "fourth estate of the realm".

Maccido made this call on Monday at the maiden public lecture organised by the Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Birnin Kebbi. "The role of the media in promoting and sustaining democratic principles and tenets cannot be overemphasised," he said. "The media played a vital role in restoring democracy in Nigeria, especially during the military era, an effort many politicians should not ignore or forget."

Maccido emphasized that many journalists paid a heavy price for the restoration of democracy in the country, adding, "Therefore, the media should be made an arm of government constitutionally, not just the fourth estate of the realm."

He commended the chapel for its professionalism and adherence to journalistic ethics despite numerous challenges encountered in the line of duty. "When the All Progressives Congress (APC) was established in 2014, we found it difficult to disseminate our manifesto to the people of Kebbi, especially given that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) controlled the local media then," he said. "But members of the chapel supported us by discharging their duties ethically, journalistically and professionally."

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, who represented Governor Nasir Idris, said the present administration had continued to enhance the well-being of the people. "The Correspondents' Chapel has been part and parcel of the struggle to entrench democracy in Nigeria," he said. "The Kebbi State Government commends journalists for their positive role in sustaining good governance and public enlightenment."

Ahmed-BK added that the administration would continue to support media practitioners to operate effectively. "A vibrant media landscape remains a major pillar of every thriving democracy," said Alhaji Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity. "Kebbi State continues to uphold press freedom under Governor Idris. The administration operates an open-door policy that guarantees freedom of speech, access to information and respect for journalistic independence."

Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar-Jambali, Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment and Orientation, said the state government had supported the media through the provision of logistics, vehicles, monthly allowances and the ongoing construction of a modern press centre. "These interventions demonstrate the governor's commitment to ensuring a strong and effective press," he said. "When the media thrives, democracy thrives."

The Chairman of the Correspondents' Chapel of the NUJ, Alhaji Kabiru Wurma, described the chapel as the live-wire of the NUJ, comprising professionally trained journalists representing various national newspapers, radio and television stations. He said the journalists consistently cover governmental and non-governmental activities for publication by their respective organisations.

The lecture, themed "Media, Democracy and Good Governance", was presented by Dr Abdullahi Sani, from the Department of European Language and Literacy Studies, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi.