Eniola Yekini
The Federal Government has commended the Cross River State Government for revitalising its information infrastructure through the remodelling of the state newspaper corporation and the commissioning of a modern Government Printing Press.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the commendation on Thursday in Calabar during the official reactivation of the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation, now known as the Cross River Information Hub, and the commissioning of the new printing facility by Governor Bassey Otu.
Idris described the initiative as an important investment in credible information, institutional memory and professional journalism, saying the restoration of the newspaper corporation represented more than the renovation of a physical facility.
According to him, the new Cross River Information Hub should go beyond traditional newspaper publishing to become a centre for credible journalism, digital innovation, professional development and meaningful engagement between government and citizens.
The Minister also commended Otu for recognising information infrastructure as an important component of governance and development.
He urged the state government to sustain investment in the training and retraining of journalists, editors, printers, communication professionals and technical personnel to enable them to adapt to the changing media environment.
Speaking on the new Government Printing Press, Idris said the facility would play a critical role in preserving official records and strengthening government communication.
He noted that official documents, including laws, gazettes, white papers and government reports, remained essential to institutional memory and accountability.
“A government that fails to preserve its records risks losing its history, while a people who fail to document their journey may leave others to tell their story,” he said.
Idris, however, charged journalists and media organisations to uphold professional standards, particularly as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged the media to resist misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and incitement, stressing that the integrity of Nigeria’s information ecosystem would be crucial to the credibility of the elections.
“The 2027 elections will test not only our political institutions but also the integrity of our information ecosystem,” he said.
The Minister advised journalists to interrogate claims and verify information before publication, warning against sacrificing accuracy for speed or sensationalism.
“Embrace technology, but do not abandon professional standards. Be fast, but be accurate. Be competitive, but be ethical,” Idris told journalists who would work at the facility.
In his remarks, Governor Otu said the revival of the Nigerian Chronicle was part of his administration’s broader effort to strengthen the state’s information machinery and improve communication between government and citizens.
Otu recalled that he had pledged at his first media parley after assuming office to revitalise the state’s information assets.
He said the administration had earlier upgraded transmission equipment at the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation and renovated its facilities before turning attention to the Nigerian Chronicle, which had remained dormant for about two decades.
According to him, the newspaper complex was also renovated after sustaining damage during the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
The Governor said modern printing machines and other accessories had been installed to restore the facility, urging staff to protect the equipment and justify the investment through commitment and hard work.
Otu also charged the editorial board of the Nigerian Chronicle to establish a Critical Response Initiative to provide timely information on breaking developments and respond promptly to misleading information and emergencies.
He urged the newspaper to uphold fact-checking and responsible journalism while accurately reporting developments in the state.
Former Governor of Cross River State and former Nigerian Chronicle journalist, Chief Clement Ebri, described the revival as a historic moment, recalling his years at the newspaper after joining in 1978.
Ebri, who later became Features Editor and Acting Editor, recalled that the Chronicle was once a major national newspaper with a daily print run of about 80,000 copies, rising to approximately 120,000 copies on some occasions.
He said the newspaper had correspondents across major Nigerian cities, produced multiple editions and served as a training ground for journalists.
Ebri attributed the decline of the newspaper partly to the departure of experienced personnel without adequate replacement, while lamenting the destruction of its premises during the 2020 #EndSARS crisis.
He called for the restoration of the newspaper’s library and archives, appealing to individuals and institutions with old copies, photographs, cuttings and other historical materials to donate them for preservation.
“We must not simply restore the Chronicle of yesterday. We must build the Chronicle of tomorrow,” he said.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Ene Cobham, said the new Government Printing Press would reduce the state’s dependence on outsourced printing services while improving the security and confidentiality of sensitive government documents.
He said the facility was also expected to create jobs and generate revenue for the state through commercial printing.