Mohammed Hayatudeen, former Group Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has described a free and independent press as vital to Nigeria's democratic development. Speaking as guest of honour at the 25th anniversary celebration of Independent Newspapers on Sunday, Hayatudeen praised the resilience and professionalism shaping Nigeria's media landscape. He identified three pillars for national greatness: the supremacy of strong institutions over individuals, prioritising production over consumption, and building trust through consistency, accountability and fairness. Strong institutions, he said, ensure progress continues beyond the tenure of any single leader. A productive economy, driven by innovation and human capital, is essential for long-term prosperity. Trust, he added, forms the bedrock of functional governance, thriving markets and national unity. Hayatudeen highlighted the media's role in fostering this trust, calling journalism the lifeblood of democracy and a key tool for accountability. He stated, "A free and independent press serves as society's early warning system. it shines light when there is darkness, asks questions where silence would be easier and speaks truth where power may prefer convenience." Nigeria's challenge, he said, is not a lack of potential but the need to align human and institutional resources toward a shared national purpose. Strengthening institutions, deepening productivity and sustaining trust, he argued, can make excellence the norm in Nigeria.
Hayatudeen speaks of institutions surpassing individuals while having led a commission long defined by personal influence rather than systemic strength. His call for trust built on accountability contrasts with the NDDC's history of mismanagement under past leaders, including himself. Nigerians named in such institutions must reconcile their legacies with the ideals they now promote. Words alone do not rebuild credibility where actions once eroded it.
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