16th September, 2012
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan and other elected officials to put extra measures in place to tackle the numerous problems confronting the country, according to the communiqué issued by the Guild after the 8th All Nigeria Editors Conference held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, from Sept. 12 to Sept. 16.
The theme of the conference was : The Nigerian Editor and National Security.’’
The editors listed the problems to include oil bunkering, kidnapping, armed robbery, poverty, illiteracy, injustice and unemployment, religious intolerance and the proliferation of arms.
The guild noted that the Boko Haram insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country has impacted negatively on Nigerians.The editors suggested that steps should be taken to provide the “right security infrastructure that can help the various security agencies to keep ahead of criminal elements in the society.’’
They, however, stressed the need for “openness and transparency with the rules of engagement in all anti-terror activities.
“Members of the guild decried the “absence of inter-governmental cooperation in delivering democracy dividends to the populace.’’They called on all the three tiers of government to “collaborate and dialogue on the best ways of meeting the demands of the public and preservation of law and order.’’
Editors were also advised to ensure fairness, balance and accuracy in the presentation of stories. They were also asked to “continue to be in the vanguard of promoting national unity and integration and to be wary of those who seek to use the media to canvass issues that divide the nation.’’The conference also underscored the agenda setting of the media, and canvassed a continuous engagement between the security agencies and the media.
The editors commended the development strides of Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom.The communiqué was signed by Mr Gbenga Adefaye, the NGE President and Mr Femi Adesina, the Chairman of the Planning Committee.The conference was chaired by former Governor of Ogun, Chief Segun Osoba while Senate President David Mark declared it open.