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NGE Begins 2021 ANEC In Abuja, Oct 21
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), has announced October 21 and 22 as the dates for its 17th Annual All Nigerian Editors’ Conference (ANEC) billed for Abuja.
The guild, in a statement jointly signed by the President, Mustapha Isah; and Secretary General, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, respectively, yesterday, said the conference has as its theme, “Media In Times Of Crisis: Resolving Conflict, Achieving Consensus”.
The guild said the scheduling of the annual conference was one of the decisions reached at a meeting of its Standing Committee during the week in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.
It added that the guild also took some positions on various issues at the meeting, after extensive deliberations.
The guild described the recent compromise of the security structure at the Nigerian Defence Academy in Afaka in Kaduna State, as a worrisome dimension to insecurity, calling on government at all levels to devise results-oriented strategies in tackling the phenomenon.
“The guild acknowledges efforts by the Federal Government to achieve the best results in tackling the nation’s security challenges, but sees the August 24 compromise of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Afaka, as a worrisome dimension to insecurity.
“We call on the government to be more proactive and creative in the fight against insecurity and in carrying out its constitutional duty of securing lives and property in the country,” it said.
The guild said banditry, kidnapping for ransom and other threats to the nation’s security could be addressed with the right actions.
Since the media had a constitutional role to play in holding public office holders accountable to the people, it noted, government also had a duty of providing an enabling environment for the media to perform its role devoid of intimidation.
It cautioned journalists to also be responsible by ensuring they operated within the ambit of the ethics of the profession.
“The guild restates that a free press remains one of the bedrocks of democracy and nothing must be done to shrink the space.
“It commends the intervention of the Nigeria Press Organisation in protecting the freedom of the press in the country,” the guild’s statement added.
The NGE expressed appreciation to the government and people of Jigawa State for the conducive environment provided for the Standing Committee meeting held in the state.
Meanwhile, the guild says the 2021 ANEC is aimed at achieving “consensus and compromise”, among media owners, managers and senior editors on what role the media could play in helping to resolve conflicts in the country.
“The strong argument by conflict management experts is that the mass media ever so often, plays a key role in conflicts.
“Their role may take two different and opposed forms: It is either the media takes an active part in the conflict with obligation for increased violence, or stays independent and out of the conflict, in that way contributing to the resolution of the conflict and mitigation of violence’’, the NGE noted.
ANEC is the largest gathering of Nigerian editors and owners of mass media: newspapers, magazines, radio/television stations and online newspapers in Nigeria.
The annual conference is expected to also attract NGE’s foreign partners: the World Editors’ Forum (WEF), West African Editors Forum (WAEF), African Editors Forum (AEF), the International Press Institute (IPI) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).
Other stakeholders expected at the two-day conference include, top security officers in the country, chief executive officers in the private sector, the academia and others.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.
