By Lucy Ogalue
Mr Henry Mbadiwe, Registrar-General, Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), has called on media professionals in Nigeria to uphold ethical journalism and refrain from using their platforms as tools for destruction.
Mbadiwe made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 2025 Bi-Annual International Conference of the Diplomatic Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (DICAN) in Abuja.
The conference was themed “Nigeria’s 4Ds Foreign Policy Strategy Amidst Global Security Challenges, Strategic Misconceptions, and the Age of Disinformation: The Role of Diplomacy, Intelligence and Media in Shaping National and Global Stability”.
The conference drew participants from the diplomatic corps, security agencies, media organisations and other stakeholders.
Mbadiwe, underscored the intersection between diplomacy and sound project management.
He emphasised the need for stakeholder engagement, risk analysis, and strategic planning in implementing foreign policy and national security projects.
“In everything we do, especially in the diplomatic and security sectors, we are managing projects.
“Whether it is a foreign policy rollout or a counterterrorism initiative, the tools of project planning and stakeholder coordination are indispensable,” he said.
Focusing on the media, the CIPMN boss cautioned against the growing trend of misinformation and sensationalism.
He warned that journalism, once regarded as a noble profession, risked becoming a weapon of societal division.
“The pen is mightier than the sword, but in today’s Nigeria, the pen is increasingly being used as a sword.
“Journalists must verify, research and reflect before publishing. Once the pen becomes a tool of harm, it is as dangerous as any weapon,” he said.
Mbadiwe shared personal experiences of being targeted by unverified reports, expressing concern over the long-term impact of such journalism on public trust and nation-building.
“I returned from the UK to serve my country, not to be destroyed by false headlines. The media must remember their sacred role in shaping a stable and informed society,” he said.
He also commended the leadership of DICAN for convening the conference, noting that the resilience and consistency demonstrated by its organisers exemplified the grit needed in national development.
His message struck a chord with many participants, particularly media practitioners, who acknowledged the need for higher professional standards and a shift towards solution-oriented reporting.
The conference served as a platform to explore the collaborative roles of diplomacy, intelligence, and media in ensuring peace and stability amid rising global disinformation and strategic threats.