.. Kogi Governor,DSS,Police,NNPC,NIRSAL, Others Made Overwhelming Presentations
… As Ayorinde, Egbemode,Fehabor Took Fellows Oath
The two- day conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors NGE has ended in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Abuja with amazing highlights on the role of the Media in times of crisis: Resolving Conflict, Achieving Consensus .
Eminent Nigerians including Governor of Kogi State , Yahaya Bello, representatives of Kaduna and Osun governors as well as Corporate organisations and Security Chiefs , identified with the conference through donations and content delivery.
In his remarks, Governor Bello who identified the Guild as a very important segment of society that cannot be ignored by anyone charged editors to spearhead agenda setting for the next general elections saying doing the narrative without setting the agenda for the political class was responsible for the several challenges in the country.Bello praised President Muhammadu Buhari for winning the war against insurgency describing the period prior to his government as most horrific in the history of the country as Boko Haram bombed the UN Headquarters and other public and private facilities in the Federal Capital Territory FCT and spread fear to other states.
While the Director of State Service (DSS) Chief , Yusuf Magaji Bichi represented by Spokesman,Peter Afunaya also dwelt on agenda setting, and went further to urge the editors not to relent on their role as watchdogs of society by doing their jobs without fear and naming criminal elements’, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, represented by Force Spokesman, CP Frank Mba drew similarity between police and Journalism proffession saying while members of the two professions are endangered species during crisis, in relation to their frontline investigative roles other members of the society simply run away.
Another mind-blowing revelation was the presentation of NNPC Chief,Mele Kyari on the progress of the nation’s refineries as he took the editors to avalanche of bottlenecks responsible for the unproductive state of the refineries. Kyari assured that for the first time, the right thing had been done as work on Port Harcourt and Warri refineries are underway and production will begin soon .
Other highlights were the launch of a book entitled ” UNEVEN STEPS: The Story Of The Nigerian Guild Of Editors by Veteran journalist ,,Lanre Idowu, and induction of Fellows and new members into the Guild .
The occasion was also used to celebrate the 60th birthday of the Editor – in- Chief of the Vanguard Newspapers,Mr Gbenga Adefaye
Other features of the dinner marking the end of the NGE annual event :
