News
Rivers Hosts 2017 Editors’ Confab
The Rivers State Government has given its nod to host this year’s edition of the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC 2017) which holds in Port Harcourt from Wednesday, September 20 to Sunday, September 24.
The Tide reports that ANEC is the annual flagship conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
A statement signed by NGE’s President, Funke Egbemode and made available to The Tide, indicated that this year’s event with theme, “Nigerian Media – Balancing Professionalism, Advocacy and Business”, will also have an extraordinary convention to adopt the reviewed NGE’s Constitution.
The statement explained that the Nigeria Guild of Editors has in recent years dedicated its annual conference to fostering and deepening discourse on national issues.
It emphasised that this year, the conference will focus on the media as a major stakeholder in the nation’s democratic project.
“Now in its 13th year, this is the second time that ANEC will focus solely on the media after its first edition held in 2004 in Ada, Osun State, with the support of the government of the then Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola,” she stressed.
The NGE president noted that the theme of the 2004 conference was: “Ethics, Professionalism and the Nigerian Editor”.
According to Egbemode, the choice of this year’s theme was a response to popular demand by members of the Guild on the need to discuss the myriad challenges confronting the journalism profession and proffer lasting solutions to them.
“The prevailing economic downturn has had a negative impact on the media leading to low revenue receipts, job losses with several media houses either extinct or on the brink of collapse. There is also the issue of safety of journalists.
“In recent times, there have been cases of impunity against journalists who were either harassed or killed in the course of discharging their constitutional duty which is to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.
“All of these have necessitated the theme of this year’s ANEC which will be attended by no fewer than 300 Nigerian editors from the print, electronic and online platforms, media entrepreneurs, sundry public officers and administrators,” Egbemode explained.
The statement quoted the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike as saying that the conference would afford the state the opportunity to showcase its investment potentials as well as consolidate its partnership with the media for sustainable development of the state.
“Wike noted that the state is hosting several national and international events as a demonstration of the fact that Rivers State is an investors’ destination, stressing that the state is peaceful and the people hospitable,” the statement added.
“Hosting this year’s conference will also make the editors witness first-hand the development projects and programmes of my administration which have improved the living standard of the people”, the governor was quoted as saying.
The Tide reports that ANEC is the largest gathering of Nigerian editors, and a watering hole of ideas that has shaped government policies and programmes over the years.
The conference also attracts both local and foreign speakers as well as editors from organisations such as the West African Editors Forum (WAEF), the African Editors Forum (TAEF), the World Editors Forum (WEF), the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and the Global Editors Network (GEN).
Nelson Chukwudi
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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