The Media Centre for Promotion of Safety Awareness (MCPoSA) has announced plans to honour Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Babagana Zulum of Borno State for their outstanding commitment to press freedom, journalists’ safety, and media-friendly governance.
The recognition will take place as part of activities marking this year’s UNESCO International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI), also known as Journalists’ Safety Day. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos, beginning at 10 a.m.
In a joint statement signed by MCPoSA’s Executive Director, Dr. Chinyere Amaechi, and Board of Trustees member, Mack Ogbamosa, the Centre said the two governors were selected for their consistent support for press freedom and their commitment to creating safer working environments for journalists and media practitioners in their respective states.
According to the statement, this year’s observance will focus on the intersection of technology, media safety, and freedom of expression, reflecting the rapid evolution of the global media ecosystem.
The event will feature two thematic sessions: “The Place of Traditional Journalism in an Era of AI and Digitisation” and “Risk Assessment as an Integral Part of Effective Communication.”
MCPoSA added that the global theme for the 2025 Journalists’ Safety Day, as adopted by UNESCO, is “National Safety Mechanisms for Journalists: Combating Impunity and Strengthening National Structures for the Prevention, Protection, and Prosecution of Crimes Committed Against Journalists, Media Workers, and Social Media Producers.”
The Centre reaffirmed its commitment to promoting journalist safety and responsible media practice, calling on government institutions, civil society, and media organisations to strengthen collaboration in defending freedom of expression and combating impunity against journalists.
