News
Editors’ Convention Begins In Lagos, Friday
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has concluded arrangements to hold its Biennial Convention in Ikeja, the Lagos State capital.
The convention, scheduled to hold April 28-30, 2017, will take place at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State.
A statement by the General Secretary, NGE, Victoria Ibanga, at the weekend, indicated that the theme of the convention is: “A Nation in Recession: Whither the Nigerian Media?”, adding that the event would be chaired by Chairman, Daily Trust Newspapers Limited, Malam Kabiru Yusuf.
The statement explained that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who is the chief host, is expected to deliver an address and declare the convention open.
It added that a quintessential communication expert and political lobbyist, Mr. Emma Agu, will present a paper on the theme of the convention.
It would be recalled that the Biennial Convention, one of the largest gatherings of Nigerian Editors, brings together over 300 editors and other media professionals.
The Tide investigations reveal that there are some 553 registered members of the NGE, including fellows.
The forum will produce a new executive, led by a new president to oversee the affairs of the Guild in the next two years.
The tenure of the current executive, led by Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of New Telegraph Newspapers, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, began with Mr. Femi Adesina, in 2015, and was truncated when he was appointed special adviser to President Muhammad Buhari, a few weeks after election.
Adesina handed over to Malam Garba Deen Muhammad, who was the deputy president, and his position was ratified during the 11th ANEC in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
A few months after the mantle of leadership changed hands, Muhammad was appointed group general manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC.
Again, power shifted to Egbemode, who was then the vice president (West), and her new position was ratified during the 12th ANEC in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in 2016.
The statement emphasised that to facilitate the election process, the guild has appointed a highly respected veteran journalist and author, Mr. Ray Ekpu, as the chairman of a five-member Electoral Committee to conduct the process, adding that he is to be supported by other top-notch journalists of proven integrity.
It noted that the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is expected to address the editors, who will converge on Lagos to be part of the historic event.
According to the statement, as part of activities lined up for the convention, officials of Trust Fund Pensions Limited will make a 10-minute presentation.
The topic is: “Pension Fund for Editors: Managing your tomorrow today”, during the business session on April 29, 2017.
A gala night/dinner will hold in the evening of Saturday, April 29 at 7:00pm during which new members of the guild will be inducted.
It further explained that delegates are expected to depart on Sunday, April 30, 2017.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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