Dr. Damasus Nwachukwu, Esq
By Tony Adibe
As preparations for next year’s general elections gather momentum, a Nigerian-born, United States-based Legal Scholar, Dr. Damasus Nwachukwu, Esq., has outlined an eight-point agenda which, he said, would strengthen journalism practice in Nigeria, especially in holding public officials accountable.
NewsBits reports that Dr. Nwachukwu was among some distinguished Nigerians honoured during the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) National Summit and Excellence Award 2026 held on Wednesday, 28 October 2026 at the prestigious NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja. Dr Nwachukwu was honoured with the “Media-Friendly Philanthropist of the Year Award 2026“.
The Summit was themed “Curbing Fake News and Misinformation in the Nigerian Media Space,” and was considered apt in view of the negative impact of fake news and disinformation on Nigeria’s socio-political and economic developments.
In his letter of thanks to the Council titled: “APPRECIATION MESSAGE TO THE NIGERIAN PRESS COUNCIL AND THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA“, which he sent from the United States days after his representative in Abuja received the plaque of the Award on his behalf during the occasion that was streamed live, Dr. Nwachukwu said he received the recognition with “profound gratitude, humility, and a deep sense of humility and responsibility.
The award Dr. Damasus Nwachukwu, Esq won
He thanked the leadership, management, and members of the Nigerian Press Council for “considering me worthy of this distinguished honour.” However, Dr Nwachukwu used the opportunity to suggest ways he believes could enhance the practice of journalism in Africa’s most populous country.
“As a legal scholar, attorney, healthcare executive, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, I firmly believe that no society can achieve sustainable development without access to reliable information, a responsible media, and an informed citizenry,” said Nwachukwu, who was quick to add: “The press is not simply a channel for disseminating information; it is an essential institution in the architecture of democracy.”
As if redirecting the mindset of the leadership of NPC, Nwachukwu’s advice was subtitled: “A MESSAGE TO THE NIGERIAN PRESS COUNCIL: THE 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS AND THE FUTURE OF NIGERIAN JOURNALISM”
He said as Nigeria “approaches the 2027 general elections”, the NPC leadership should strive to embrace a more proactive, transformative, and internationally competitive approach to media regulation, professional development, and public enlightenment.
Nwachukwu said that the 2027 elections present an important opportunity to demonstrate national relevance and establish itself as a leading institution in promoting credible journalism, electoral transparency, and democratic accountability.
THE HUMBLE EIGHT-POINT AGENDA FOR NPC
NewsBits reports that this is where Nwachukwu most respectfully offered his well-thought-out agenda to enhance the practice of journalism in Nigeria. He said: “In this regard, I wish to offer the following recommendations for consideration:
- Establish a National Election Media Integrity and Fact-Checking Initiative
The Council should develop a structured national framework for identifying, investigating, and addressing misinformation, disinformation, fabricated news, manipulated images, and misleading political narratives before, during, and after the 2027 elections. This initiative should work collaboratively with credible media organizations, independent factcheckers, technology experts, and relevant institutions.
- Strengthen Professional Standards and Journalistic Accountability
The Council should intensify efforts to promote ethical journalism, accuracy, fairness, independence, responsible reporting, and respect for professional standards. Media practitioners should be encouraged to distinguish facts from opinions, verify information before publication, and provide appropriate opportunities for responses where allegations are made.
- Promote Nonpartisan and Balanced Electoral Reporting
The Nigerian Press Council should encourage media organizations to provide equitable, evidence-based coverage of political parties, candidates, electoral institutions, and public policy issues. Journalism must serve the public interest rather than become an instrument of political propaganda, personal attacks, or partisan manipulation.
- Introduce Nationwide Media Literacy and Public Enlightenment Campaigns
The Council should partner with universities, secondary schools, civil society organizations, professional associations, religious institutions, and community leaders to educate Nigerians on how to identify fake news, verify information, and distinguish credible journalism from fabricated online content.
- Establish a Rapid-Response Media Monitoring and Verification Centre
A dedicated election-period monitoring and verification mechanism would enable the Council to respond promptly to demonstrably false or misleading information capable of undermining public confidence, inciting violence, or disrupting peaceful democratic participation. Such a mechanism must operate transparently, respect freedom of expression, and avoid becoming an instrument for suppressing legitimate criticism.
- Invest in Digital Journalism and Emerging Technologies
The media landscape is changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence, social media platforms, digital broadcasting, and other emerging technologies are transforming how information is produced and consumed. The Council should invest in training journalists to understand these technologies, identify AI-generated misinformation, protect digital sources, and maintain professional integrity in the digital age.
- Create National and International Partnerships
The Council should strengthen collaboration with international press institutions, universities, journalism schools, professional associations, and credible media organizations. These partnerships would facilitate knowledge exchange, international best practices, professional training, and greater global recognition for Nigerian journalism.
- Establish an Annual National Journalism Excellence and Integrity Index
The Council could introduce an independent, transparent recognition framework celebrating outstanding contributions to investigative journalism, public-interest reporting, factchecking, ethical broadcasting, and responsible digital journalism. Such an initiative would encourage professional excellence and strengthen public confidence in the media.
“I believe that these initiatives would help position the Nigerian Press Council as more than a regulatory institution: a nationally respected centre for media excellence, professional development, information integrity, and democratic advancement.”
STILL EXPRESSING GRATITUDE TO NPC
Nwachukwu seemed not tired of expressing appreciation for the recognition and honour done to him and several other distinguished Nigerians such as the Minister of Defense, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd)
“I equally extend my heartfelt appreciation to the people of Nigeria, whose goodwill, encouragement, and continued belief in individuals committed to service remain a tremendous source of inspiration. This recognition is not merely a personal achievement; I regard it as a call to greater responsibility, service, and contribution to the advancement of our country,” he said.
Nwachukwu, though in the far-away United States of America, also spoke about his roots in Nigeria, recalling his early education days at the University of Uyo in Akwa-Ibom State, in Nigeria’s South-South geo-political zone.
The philanthropist said: “Having pursued my academic and professional journey across Nigeria and the United States, from my foundational legal education at the University of Uyo to advanced legal and healthcare leadership qualifications in the United States, I have come to appreciate the indispensable role that credible journalism plays in building strong institutions, protecting democratic values, promoting accountability, and advancing national development.
“As a legal scholar, attorney, healthcare executive, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, I firmly believe that no society can achieve sustainable development without access to reliable information, a responsible media, and an informed citizenry. The press is not simply a channel for disseminating information; it is an essential institution in the architecture of democracy.”
MY COMMITMENT TO NIGERIA
Nwachukwu, though in the far-away United States of America, also spoke about his roots in Nigeria and commitment to the country.
He said: “As someone whose roots remain firmly planted in Nigeria despite professional and entrepreneurial engagements in the United States, I remain deeply interested in the future of our country, particularly the development of Imo State and the empowerment of its people.
“My professional journey has reinforced my conviction that leadership must be measured by service, integrity, competence, accountability, and the tangible difference it makes in people’s lives. I believe Nigeria possesses extraordinary human capital, intellectual resources, entrepreneurial potential, and opportunities for economic transformation. What we must continually strengthen are the institutions, leadership structures, and national values necessary to translate these resources into meaningful development.
“The media has a particularly important responsibility in this national aspiration. A responsible press should not only report events but also educate citizens, investigate matters of public interest, promote constructive national conversations, and hold institutions accountable without compromising its independence.
“To the Nigerian Press Council, I encourage you to see the forthcoming 2027 general elections as an opportunity to leave a lasting institutional legacy. Let the Council be remembered for strengthening the credibility of Nigerian journalism, protecting the public’s right to reliable information, and helping to create an electoral environment where facts are valued above falsehood, and responsible dialogue prevails over misinformation.
“To the Nigerian people, I say thank you for this honour and for the encouragement you continue to give to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora who remain committed to national progress. I accept this recognition with gratitude and dedicate it to everyone who believes that education, integrity, enterprise, responsible leadership, and service remain indispensable instruments for building a better Nigeria.
“The greatest recognition is not the award we receive, but the positive impact we leave behind. God bless the Nigerian Press Council. God bless the Nigerian people. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
NewsBits reports that the summit, themed: “Curbing Fake News and Misinformation in the Nigerian Media Space,” provided an opportunity for stakeholders to examine the growing influence of misinformation and disinformation on governance, elections, national security, public trust and social cohesion.
Dr. Damasus Nwachukwu, Esq, and Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Bianca Ojukwu
The Nigerian Press Council, a Federal Government agency established to promote ethical standards and professionalism in the Nigerian print media, organized the summit as part of efforts to strengthen responsible journalism and improve public communication.
The awards ceremony formed part of the activities marking the conclusion of the one-day summit, and celebrated Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in leadership, public service, media development, national security, business and other areas of national development.
NewsBits reports that the NPC National Summit and Excellence in Media Leadership Awards 2026 provided a major platform for dialogue between government, the media and other critical stakeholders on building a more credible, ethical and responsible media environment in Nigeria.
