The Nigerian Editors Trust Fund will be established by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), a professional association of editors and media executives, to support the welfare and professional requirements of Nigerian media outlets and editors.

According to a statement by the NGE’s General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, and President, Mr. Eze Anaba, the idea is a response to the growing welfare and professional issues that “the highest echelon of Nigerian journalists in performing their duties” are facing.

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Remember that the Guild recently established a committee under the direction of its Vice-President (East), Mr. Sheddy Ozoene, to manage the outfit’s inauguration in the first quarter of 2024 and communicate with media stakeholders during its Annual Conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

According to the statement, the effort complies with the Conference’s resolution.

Publishers, media executives, and editors at the Akwa Ibom State ANEC repeatedly emphasised the Guild’s urgent need to launch a strategic initiative that will focus on the professional and welfare needs of media houses and editors in Nigeria as part of several efforts to support them in continuing to fulfil their social and constitutional responsibilities to the community without necessarily compromising their ethical standards.

”The trust fund, which is anticipated to be established in 2024’s first quarters, will also tackle the severe financial difficulties that editors and media executives encounter both during and after their employment. Members of the Guild working in print, electronic, and web media will profit from the fund.

All parties involved in the media industry, including the public sector, will work together to establish the trust fund, which will be used to solve important issues that impact professionals, who serve as the last gatekeepers in their respective media organisations, according to the statement.

Additionally, it stated that the Fund would have the much-needed positive effect on the nation’s journalism profession by providing editors and media executives with access to innovations and empowerment programmes in the media industry, as well as retraining and networking opportunities with colleagues from around the globe.

The Guild claimed that in dire circumstances, media executives and editors would be able to rely on the trust fund, which would be overseen by a board of distinguished individuals from both the media and other fields.

The Guild also stated that it would provide funds for important media initiatives that would influence Nigeria’s democracy, sound governance, and overall development in addition to serving as a means of meeting the welfare needs of media executives and editors.