Rising from its 11th Annual All Nigerian Editors Conference, ANEC 2015, held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, from August 26 to 30, 2015, the Editors in their communiqué, urged all Nigerians to support the anti-corruption crusade to enhance the rapid development of the country.
The communiqué, signed by the President and Secretary of the Guild, Garba Deen Mohammad and Victoria Ibanga
The Conference, at which the erstwhile Deputy President of the Guild, Mallam Garba Deen Mohammed was elected substantive President to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Mr.Femi Adesina as Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to President Buhari, had as its theme, “The Change we need: Role of the Editor.”
The Special Convention within the Conference, which elected Mallam Mohammed President also witnessed the election of Mr. Steve Ayorinde as Deputy President and Mrs. Funke Egbemode as Vice President (South West) of the Guild.
Other resolutions of the Conference, which attracted close to 300 Editors from across the country and which was declared open by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, are:
1. That the media will remain steadfast in objective reportage of events in the country as well as be facilitators and agents of the positive change that Nigerians desire.
2. That Nigerians must unite to build a nation that is prosperous and secure, irrespective of political, ethnic and religious differences.
3. That government at all levels must carry the mass media along in planning and execution of critical developmental policies and programmes.
4. That the steps taken so far by the President Buhari-led government to tackle terrorism are commendable and urges Nigerians not to politicize or ethnicise the war against the scourge, stressing that much more must be done by all stakeholders to ensure that every part of country is secure.
5. That the present administration’s war against corruption is commendable but that every effort must be made to ensure that it is not selective. Every Nigerian must support the battle to eradicate the monster which has adversely affected the country.
6. Media owners must ensure regular payment of salaries as well as provide improved working conditions commensurate with the efforts of media practitioners.
7. Media practitioners must play their agenda setting role and make conscious effort to raise the level and quality of public debate by bringing issues of national interest to the fore.
8. Nigerians must unite and support efforts of the government of President Buhari to revive the nation’s economy
9. There must be a conscious effort to re-orient Nigerians to embrace values that would bring about the desired change.
10. Editors must strive continually to improve their skills and acquire new skills that would prepare them for life outside the Editorial chair.
11. Editors must do more to bring about the change Nigerians are yearning for by playing the watchdog role assigned them by Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution.
12. That the Governors’ Forum make more efforts to build synergy among themselves and function as a Peer Review Mechanism, for sharing experiences and learning from each other policies and programmes that would make their states better.
13. The Editors commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing two past presidents of the Guild, Mr. Femi Adesina and Mallam Garba Shehu as Special Adviser and Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, respectively.
