From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Executive Chairman of Liberty Television Media Group Nigeria, Alhaji Dr. Tijjani Ramalan, has decried the state of political decay in Northern Nigeria, describing the attitude of many politicians in the region as nonchalant and unproductive.
Dr. Ramalan made the remarks during a news conference ahead of the 2026 Liberty Symposium themed: “Re-Imagining the North: Media, Productive Power and the Making of the Next Northern Nigeria.”
According to him, the theme of the symposium is both timely and urgent as Northern Nigeria and the country at large stand at a critical point in their political, economic and social development.
“For over a decade, the region has contended with multiple layers of poverty and insecurity, including insurgency, banditry, communal conflicts, farmer-herder clashes, displacement crises, economic disruptions, drug menace and weakened social cohesion,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Ramalan noted that Northern Nigeria remains blessed with enormous opportunities in human capital, agriculture, solid minerals, enterprise, innovation and culture.
“The question before us is no longer whether Northern Nigeria can rise. The question is how to build a North that is secure, productive, competitive and united within an evolving Nigerian federation,” he stated.
He explained that the Liberty Symposium is designed as a high-level thought leadership and multi-stakeholder platform aimed at providing practical solutions to the region’s challenges.
According to him, the symposium will bring together policymakers, media executives, business leaders, security experts, development institutions, academics, civil society organisations, regulators, youth groups and community stakeholders for solution-driven discussions capable of reshaping the future of the region.
Dr. Ramalan disclosed that invitations had already been extended to the Nigeria Governors Forum, Northern Governors’ Forum, development commissions across the region, media organisations and regulatory bodies.
“At the heart of this year’s symposium is the reality that conflict thrives where productivity is weak, while peace becomes sustainable where opportunity, inclusion, accountability and responsible narratives exist,” he added.
He stressed that the symposium would focus on three major pillars — media, governance and productive economic power.
“We believe the media must move beyond merely reporting crises to becoming an active development institution capable of mobilising investment confidence, strengthening social cohesion, amplifying responsible narratives and supporting economic transformation,” he said.
The Liberty TV chairman further explained that the symposium would examine the strategic role of Northern-owned media organisations as development infrastructure capable of promoting enterprise visibility, policy engagement and inclusive national development.
He said discussions would also centre on constitutional restructuring, governance reforms, regional competitiveness, subnational coordination, state police and federal balance.
Dr. Ramalan added that the symposium seeks to shift conversations about Northern Nigeria from narratives of instability and underdevelopment to discussions centred on productivity, innovation and strategic collaboration.
Among the expected outcomes of the symposium, he listed actionable policy recommendations, frameworks for regional cooperation, strategies for economic revitalisation, stronger public-private partnerships and renewed commitments to peace-building through inclusive development communication.
He also advocated greater inclusion of Northern-owned media organisations in the national advertising economy and communication investments, describing media equity as an important component of national development and inclusive growth.
“The future of Northern Nigeria cannot be built by government alone. It requires a coalition of responsible leadership, informed media, visionary enterprise, resilient communities and courageous conversations,” he said.
Dr. Ramalan urged local, national and international media organisations to support the symposium by amplifying constructive narratives capable of promoting unity, attracting investment and advancing sustainable peace.
He maintained that Liberty Media Group remains committed to promoting courageous conversations that would drive development and strengthen national cohesion.
