The former Vice President acknowledged the challenges and threats faced by journalists in the country.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that the sacrifices made by journalists who have paid the ultimate price in the battle to enthrone and sustain democracy and for a better society will not be in vain.
The former Vice President acknowledged the challenges and threats faced by journalists in the country.
Atiku made this known in a statement posted on his X account on Friday in celebration of #WorldPressFreedomDay.
On this occasion of the #WorldPressFreedomDay, I join the rest of the world to celebrate the work of all traditional and social media citizen journalists as well as other media professionals who work on behalf of Nigerian citizens to expose truths, even in the face of government…
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) May 3, 2024
He wrote, "On this occasion of the #WorldPressFreedomDay, I join the rest of the world to celebrate the work of all traditional and social media citizen journalists as well as other media professionals who work on behalf of Nigerian citizens to expose truths, even in the face of government adversity.
"The fourth estate of the realm as the watchdog of society in Nigeria has always been at the forefront of holding the government accountable, all through the days of the military regimes and even now.
"I painfully acknowledge the challenges and threats faced by our pen-fighters and use this opportunity to reaffirm my eternal commitment to press freedom and the safety of all journalists across all spheres and especially the internet which is fast becoming a major medium of journalistic operations.
"To all journalists who have paid the ultimate price in the battle to enthrone and sustain democracy and for a better society, be assured that your sacrifices will not be in vain.”
"To all journalists and on behalf of all my associates and supporters, I say thank you for your sacrifices, thank you for your service, and I will always stand in solidarity with you," the statement added.