Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerian media practitioners to play a proactive role in strengthening democracy by embracing constructive criticism and fostering critical thinking in their reporting.
Shettima made the appeal during the public presentation of the book My Life and Journalists Hangout and the 60th birthday celebration of veteran journalist Babajide Kolade-Otitoju.
He emphasised that democracy relies not only on elections and institutions but also on a media culture capable of interrogating ideas and holding power accountable.
“A society is destroyed not by the absence of ideas, but by the absence of men and women with the courage to interrogate ideas,” Shettima said.
He stressed that unchallenged narratives and unexamined ideas undermine societal progress.
The Vice President commended Kolade-Otitoju for fostering a culture of critical engagement through his long-running television programme, Journalists Hangout, describing him as a symbol of intellectual courage and journalistic integrity.
He noted that a responsible media serves as a “republic of conscience,” guiding public discourse, checking misinformation, and promoting reasoned debate.
Shettima further highlighted that critical thinking in journalism disciplines national conversations, protects society from conspiracy theories, and reinforces informed decision-making.
Kwara State Governor and Nigerian Governors’ Forum Chairman AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq also praised the media for its role in advancing democracy and national development.
In his review, Kyari Mohammed described the book as a rich resource offering insights into journalism, governance, and public life, recommending it to policymakers and practitioners.
Other speakers, including former NBC Director-General Danladi Bako, Sunday Dare, Gbenga Aruleba, and Abike Dabiri, paid tribute to Kolade-Otitoju’s decades-long contributions to media and democratic development in Nigeria.
