President Bola Tinubu has declared open the 19th All Nigeria Editors Conference holding in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Wednesday.
The President, who was represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammed Idris Malagi, charged Editors to engage in positive publicity of the country so as to attract foreign investment.
Tinubu congratulated the Nigeria Guild of Editors for choosing a relevant theme, “Stimulating Economic Growth, Technological Advancement: Role of the Media”, for the conference.
“I have signed five executive orders so far with a view to stimulating the economy for growth and foreign investment”, Tinubu added.
On his part, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammed Idris Malagi, pledged to restore the trust and confidence of the public on information managers in the country.
He also restated his earlier promise on assumption of office, to say only what is true and factual, stressing that the era of propaganda was over.
In his remark as chief host, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, cautioned Editors to be careful when trying to break the news so as not to ‘break the fabric of the society,’ and urged journalists to engender good governance in their news reportage to advance Nigeria’s democracy.
“In trying to break the news, don’t break the fabrics of the society. We need the society,” Eno said.
The governor said: “I want to plead that you use engender a new template of reportage, one that is development-oriented, where our leaders are called to account without being overly obtrusive.
“You need the nation first in order to freely practise your profession.”
He said that his administration was open to constructive criticisms and committed to driving a narrative of governance focused on making the state residents to reap dividends of democracy and build trust in government.
Eno praised the media for support for his administration.
He also praised President Bola Tinubu for efforts so far in governance, and prayed God to guide him.
“May God bless our dear nation, Nigeria, and continue to give in our president and commander-in-chief more wisdom to lead our nation.
“In the process, there will be fulfilment of the dreams of our founding fathers to have a powerful, united and prosperous nation,” he said.
Eno stated that Ibom Air has started its flight to Ghana and other west coast countries.
“Soon, we shall take a delivery of a brand new Aircraft to boost our fleet” Akwa Ibom Governor added.
“We came to the office fully prepared and the state government had started building model schools equipped with accommodation for teachers to enhance learning and education.”
Eno urged Editors to find time to attend the State’s Cultural Festival from December 1, 2023 to January, 2024.
In his goodwill message, Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, called on the Federal Government to urgently evolve measures to regulate social media to tackle misinformation and disinformation.
Represented by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Erasmus Ekpang, Otu said that social media had been misused to a large extent.
The governor described mass media as indispensable for societal development.
“The media should indulge more in critical analysis of issues instead of merely praising policymakers.
“We can see that the media holds a critical place in our national development; the media should be reliable and trustworthy,” he said.
The governor further urged the mass media to propagate ideas that would stimulate economic recovery.
“The economy of every nation has direct bearing on the well-being of the citizenry; so, a prosperous economy will definitely breed a prosperous citizenry,” he said.
Otu expressed worry at under investment in agriculture and small and medium scale enterprises.
“With adequate investment in agriculture, the level of poverty in the country will reduce.
“We must be together in the bid to develop our nation. With the right policies, we will get it right,” he said.
In his welcome address, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr Eze Anaba, urged NGE members to do more to promote citizens’ access to information.
Anaba said that access to information would enhance participatory democracy and encourage good governance.
“Without access to information, this form of governance is not possible.
“Information creates the opportunity to discuss a range of available options and to take part in meaningful public policy discussions and informed political debates.
“Information allows the public to hold a government accountable by creating a public awareness of the government’s conduct.
“It is for this reason that the theme of this year’s annual conference is: “Stimulating Economic Growth, Technological Advancement: Role of the Media,” he said.
Anaba said that about 300 media executives and senior editors gathered for the conference.
He said that the conference would also examine Nigerian media sustainability, the existential threat of the Big Tech and the way forward.
The NGE president urged editors and other media professionals to continue to ensure balanced, accurate, factual and timely news reporting, which he described as the hallmark of journalism.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and Publisher of the Vanguard Newspapers, Mr Sam Amuka, said that journalists were the conscience of the society, and warned them against publishing fake news.
He said, “You must always publish the truth.”
In his presentation, the immediate past Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Muda Yusuf, called on the mass media to stimulate discussions that would grow Nigeria’s economy.
Yusuf said that Nigeria was facing declining reserves, lack of investor confidence and currency volatility, among other challenges.
“Well thought-out reform measures are crucial at this point, we cannot wish this away,” he said.
He said that Nigerian media had a crucial role to play in tackling the challenges.
“Nigeria is in dire need of economic reforms going by the level of poverty in the country.
“Statistics shows that, as at 2022, 60 per cent of Nigerians were already facing multi-dimensional poverty,” he said.
According him, it is important for the media to be proactive in holding governments to account.
“It is good to indulge in economic reforms, the most important thing is the well-being of the people,” he said.
Yusuf said that the media had a role to play in ensuring that reforms would be effectively implemented in the interest of the citizenry.
A renowned journalist, editor and media manager, Azu Ishiekwene; and Finance Minister, Wale Edun; also presented papers during the conference.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by other partners.
The conference will last for three days.

By: Nelson Chukwudi