Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and former Governor of Anambra State,Mr. Peter Obi on Thursday charged Nigerian editors and media practitioners to always uphold the principle of fair and objective reportage of and commentary on national issues in order to promote socio-economic development and national cohesion.
They spoke at the commissioning of Editors’ House, located at 24 Mojidi Street, Ikeja. Ambode who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule said the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) just like other professional bodies holds strategic stake in the healthy development of the nation.
Both Uduaghan and Peter Obi agreed on the need to cut cost of governance. One way to do this, according to Uduaghan, is for states to share asset when expedient. They all commended Nigerian editors for their resilience in the practice of their profession.
Also speaking on the occasion, the Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima while congratulating the editors, said the Nigeria editors have demonstrated uncommon patriotism in the manner they have helped to shape public opinion for national development. He was represented by his Media Adviser, Isa Gusau.
Governor Ambode tasked the Guild to ensure that more attention is devoted to issues that would assist government to ease the current hardship being experienced by the people and protection of lives and property.
“It is no longer news that the nation’s economy is in recession amidst other challenges that demand the patriotism and nationalistic spirit of all of us. Specifically for members of the Guild, as gatekeepers and moulders of opinion in our nation, you owe it as a national duty to ensure fair and objective reportage of issues with eyes on the promotion of socio-economic development and national cohesion.
“The practice of journalism and mass communication in this present time should be anchored on the best global journalistic ethos and must be moderated by local realities and national interest,” Governor Ambode said.
Ambode who was represented at the event by Deputy Governor Oluranti Adebule, however assured that his administration would continue to partner with the Guild in line with its determination to make positive difference in the lives of all Lagosians.
“We would appreciate your continued reportage of our activities accurately and objectively for the education, enlightenment and mobilization of support of our people especially as they relate to our policies and programmes in the years ahead,” he said.
Describing the Editors House as a new chapter that would ultimately earn the Guild respect and due recognition in the comity of professional bodies in the nation, Governor Ambode urged members to make good use of the facility to protect and promote national unity.
Earlier, President of the NGE, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, in her welcome address paid tribute to the founding fathers and past presidents of the Guild who contributed largely to the realization of the project, saying that a dream of 55 years had become a reality.
She also thanked the Federal Government, State Governments and other institutions that contributed immensely to see the project to reality, saying that the House would serve as not only a secretariat for the Guild, but a rallying point for its members.
Dignitaries present at the event include former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Deputy Governor of Adamawa, Mr. Martins Babale, Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Bayo Onanuga who represented the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, representatives of Governors of Delta, Osun and Akwa Ibom, among others.
