Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has warned political leaders against treating critical journalism as an attack on government, saying a free and independent media is indispensable to democratic governance, accountability and national development.

Uzodimma spoke while delivering the keynote lecture at the third Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and DAAR Communications Plc in Abuja.

The annual lecture was instituted to sustain the legacy of Dokpesi, who died in 2023, and promote discussions on communication, democratic governance and national development.

The governor said public officials must learn to tolerate scrutiny, stressing that the discomfort arising from independent journalism should not become an excuse to undermine press freedom or intimidate journalists.

“Any public officer who wants only favourable coverage is asking the press to serve as his publicity department. Journalism has a different responsibility, and the discomfort that comes with independent scrutiny is part of the price of exercising public power in a democracy,” he said.

He proposed the establishment of a national media centre in honour of the late founder of DAAR Communications, Raymond Dokpesi, to promote development journalism and research into the relationship between the media and economic growth.

Uzodimma said he was prepared to lead the campaign for the establishment of the centre, which he envisaged as a platform for examining how journalism could contribute more effectively to national development.

“I think that as his friends and associates, we should take the lead by building a national media centre in his honour.

“The centre will be a hub for research on the media and how it can be properly channelled for economic development, or, put simply, for development journalism. I shall be prepared to lead in the campaign for the establishment of this centre,” he said.

The governor described Dokpesi as a pioneer whose investments in private broadcasting transformed Nigeria’s media landscape and expanded opportunities for independent journalism.

He recalled that RayPower began commercial broadcasting on September 1, 1994, becoming Nigeria’s first private radio station, while African Independent Television (AIT) commenced operations in December 1996.

According to him, the two organisations helped break the dominance of government-owned broadcasting outlets by creating more opportunities for political discussion, news dissemination, entertainment and public participation ahead of Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

He, however, cautioned that private ownership alone did not guarantee editorial independence, identifying political interference, commercial interests, poor remuneration, delayed salaries, harassment of journalists and declining public trust as challenges facing the industry.

Uzodimma said press freedom must be protected not only against government censorship but also against pressures from media owners, advertisers, political affiliations and the pursuit of online traffic.

He warned that fear of sanctions could lead journalists to suppress important stories, even without direct orders from authorities.

In his remarks, the Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi Jnr., urged young Nigerians, particularly first-time voters, to take responsibility for strengthening the country’s democracy.

He said his late father’s decision to establish RayPower and AIT was driven by the desire to democratise access to information and provide platforms through which Nigerians could question those in authority.

Dokpesi Jnr. described the Permanent Voter Card as an important instrument of civic participation, urging young Nigerians not to surrender their political power through apathy.

“For a first-time voter, your PVC is not just a piece of plastic. It is your share certificate in the corporate entity called Nigeria. It is your power, your voice and your mandate. Never let anyone convince you that your voice does not matter,” he said.

He announced plans to unveil a media incubation and civic-technology initiative on December 1, 2026, to empower young content creators, civic advocates and first-time voters.

According to him, the initiative will equip young Nigerians with digital tools to monitor governance, report community development needs and document electoral activities in real time.

Dokpesi Jnr. urged political leaders to recognise that a free press and an engaged youth population were essential safeguards for democratic stability.

Speaking, the President of the NIPR, Dr Ike Neliaku, said Nigeria had begun preparations to host the 2026 World Public Relations Forum, which he described as one of the world’s biggest gatherings of communication professionals.

Neliaku, who is also chairman of the institute’s council, said the forum would bring together delegates from 126 countries under the umbrella of the International Public Relations Association.

He described the event as an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its cultural, intellectual and professional strengths to the international community.

“The World PR Forum will bring together communication professionals, academics, and policymakers from across continents.

“This is our time to show the world the authentic Nigeria — creative, resilient, and responsible,” he said.

Neliaku said hosting the World Public Relations Forum alongside the 2026 Africa Public Relations Association Conference would strengthen Nigeria’s position as a hub for strategic communication and reputation management on the continent.

He thanked the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, for supporting Nigeria’s successful bid to host the global forum.

“This event is more than a celebration for public relations professionals; it is a national project that gives us the chance to present Nigeria in its true image before the international community,” he said.