Nigerian journalists were urged to uphold professionalism and credibility amidst digital misinformation at the maiden Emporium Leadership Lecture & Awards 2026 on Thursday in Abuja.
The event, organized by Royal Prince Media Services, which also celebrated Emporium Magazine’s 10th Anniversary.
Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, represented by Mallam Jibrin Baba- Ndace (Director-General, Voice of Nigeria), called on media practitioners to prioritize truth over online traffic.
He stressed the importance of accuracy, fact-checking, and context in news reporting, cautioning against ethnic and religious profiling in crime reporting to preserve national unity.
Idris emphasized the media’s crucial
role in democratic governance, promoting accountability, transparency, and informed public discourse.
Chief Sunday Akinlabi Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, represented by Mr. Jonathan Tamari, praised Royal Prince Media Services for fostering leadership excellence and expressed hope for continued media professionalism.
Chief Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), extended his felicitations, commending Emporium Magazine’s decade of dedication to journalism, public enlightenment, and promoting societal issues.
He underscored the media’s vital role in strengthening democratic institutions, amplifying citizen voices, promoting accountability, and fostering human rights.
Ojukwu lauded the lecture for its intellectual discourse, contributing to public policy and visionary leadership, and congratulated Mr. Babalola and Emporium Magazine on their continued success in advancing democracy, human rights, and national development in Nigeria.
Mr. Lukman Laleye Babalola, Convener and Publisher of Emporium Magazine, highlighted the event as a celebration of ten years of purposeful journalism. He noted the lecture’s timely theme, “From Clicks to Credibility: Digital Media’s Role in Deepening Nigeria’s Democracy,” addressing misinformation and sensationalism.
Babalola advocated for media
to move beyond traffic-seeking to embrace truth, fairness, and responsible communication, aiming to strengthen democracy through credible digital journalism.
The event also honored distinguished Nigerians and organizations with Emporium Leadership Awards.
Recipients included Assistant Corps Commander John Onoja (National
Resource Protection and Security), Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Adekunle Balogun (Distinguished Patron of Media Excellence).
Dr. Wisdom Enang (Emporium Energy Leadership for Strategic Excellence), Fame Foundation (Gender Advocacy and Social Impact), Comrade Grace Ike (Media Leadership and Civic Engagement).
Others are: Dr. Innocent Odey (Distinguished Leadership for Human Capital Development), Ambrose Omordion (Outstanding Leadership in Capital Market Development), and Mallam Jibrin Baba-Ndace (Outstanding Leadership in Global Media Diplomacy and National Image Rebranding).
