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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.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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