President Bola Tinubu is expected to attend the inaugural Presidential Press Corps Annual Dinner, a State House Press Corps (SHPC) event intended to strengthen ties between the presidency and the journalists who cover it.
In a statement Monday, Dr. Anule Emmanuel, chairman of the State House Press Corps, said the dinner—originally scheduled for Thursday, June 4—has been moved to Friday, June 19 and will be held at the State House Conference Centre in the Presidential Villa.
The State House Press Corps comprises reporters accredited to cover the President’s office.
The maiden dinner, Dr. Anule said, is designed to “celebrate excellence in presidential reporting” and to give the president an opportunity for “one-on-one” interaction with the journalists who follow him daily from the Villa.
“This event marks a historic milestone for the State House Press Corps,” the statement said.
“For the first time, we are bringing together the crème de la crème of Nigeria’s media industry to honour the dedicated professionals who report from the Villa — a beat that is often demanding and rarely offers public recognition.”
The statement said the evening will include the formal decoration of President Tinubu as Grand Patron of the State House Press Corps.
Other expected attendees include Vice President Kashim Shettima, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and several State Governors.
