Recollections of Uyo editors’ conference

More than 300 media executives and senior editors, comprising the crème de la crème of the Nigerian media sector, gathered in Uyo on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, to attend the 19th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC).

Members of the Kano/Jigawa NGE Forum, which is composed of editors from the Kano and Jigawa belt, were present. Dr. Sule Yau Sule, the group chairman, skillfully led the group.

They travelled over a thousand kilometres and passed through ten states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, and Abia, before arriving in Uyo, the host city. This may have made them the Editors who travelled the furthest to attend the crucial conference.

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The five-day conference, with the theme “Stimulating Economic Growth, Technological Advancement: The Role Of The Media,” brought together media professionals, technologists, and economists to discuss the country’s technological and economic difficulties and provide solutions.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) President, Eze Anaba, welcomed the Editors and other guests to the serene oil city and announced that the conference would also look at “Nigerian media sustainability and the existential threat by the Big Tech and what we need to do in the face of the new reality.”

According to Anaba, “it will provide the participants with the chance to talk about problems that impact the journalism profession and offer solutions that hopefully will enhance its robust practise in the country.”

On behalf of the Royal fathers, Editors and other visitors were previously welcomed to the state by His Eminence Nteyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, President General of the Akwa Ibom Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, and Oku Ibom Ibibio.

As per Etuk, the conference’s theme demonstrated the Editors’ readiness to “help revive our community economy during a period when we wish to highlight and encourage the same.”

“The Supreme Council and I certify to your unwavering role as gatekeepers and agenda setters, particularly with regard to Nigeria’s political and economic progress throughout the years.

“And I feel highly elated to associate with and welcome the Editors to Akwa Ibom State because of my fervent belief in your commitment to the upholding of high moral and ethical journalism practise for a better Nigeria,” the Oku Ibom Ibibio stated.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu opened the packed conference by stating that his administration would keep pushing for robust, free media and that there would be no plans to restrict the press.

President Tinubu also asked the Editors to address the problem of fake news and disinformation by fact-checking, on behalf of Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris.

He called on media practitioners to operate within the bounds of journalism ethics with the highest sense of duty and patriotism, while also emphasising the importance of digital literacy and ethical reporting.

The Nigerian media was praised by State Governor Pastor Umo Eno earlier in his speech for “the robust role it has played in demanding good governance, for working to strengthen our institutions, and for the good job you have done, sometimes at grave risk, to see to the deepening of our democratic culture and traditions.”

“You have espoused the importance of fairness, equity, and fair play in our efforts to establish and maintain our unwavering bonds of unity.

Although Pastor Eno expressed excitement and pride for the excellent work that has been done, he pointed out that some areas are quite troubling. For this reason, the theme of this conference is perfect and relevant: Stimulating Economic Growth, Technological Advancement: Role of the Media.

Later on Thursday, at a Gala Night held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, the Nigerian Guild of Editors presented the Governor with an Award of Excellence in Good Governance in addition to a commendation for his media-friendly demeanour.

As part of the events concluding the 2023 All Nigeria Editors Conference, the Award was given to him by NGE President Eze Anaba.

Reiterating the advantages of a continuum in governance as demonstrated by the success stories in the various sectors of the State, Anaba, the award presenter, praised the Governor Eno-led government for lifting the bar in governance through the A.R.I.S.E Agenda.

“Akwa Ibom State has opened our eyes to the potential in Nigeria.” We are able to have a good country, as demonstrated by Akwa Ibom State. With the success of Ibom Air, you have in fact offered hope for a better Nigeria, and Akwa Ibom has disproved several myths that claim only the private sector can propel an economy,” he remarked.

After accepting the award, Eno thanked the Guild for appreciating his administration’s efforts to uphold the mandate that had been granted to him and to provide the Akwa Ibom people with good governance.

Additionally, he expressed gratitude to the NGE for selecting Akwa Ibom State for their 19th Conference and reiterated that the state government is prepared to work with the media to tell the Akwa Ibom story, which is focused on the ARISE Agenda, in collaboration with them.

The installation of 14 Fellows of the Guild and the induction of 39 new members were two other highlights of the Conference.The Kano/Jigawa NGE Forum was especially happy about this occasion because two of its members were prominent attendees.

They were Adamu Ibrahim Dabo Dawakin Tofa, who was inducted as a Member of the Guild, and Hajiya Maimuna Garba, a very senior colleague, who was installed as a Fellow of the Guild.

The Guild declared in a Communique that the conference had officially closed that it supported the Federal Government’s current economic recovery initiatives, among other things.

However, it issued a warning, saying that the road to complete economic recovery shouldn’t be paved with “corpses” of people who are unable to withstand the oppressive heat of the current circumstance.

The Editors therefore urged the Federal Government to take immediate action to address rising prices for goods and services, a declining currency, volatile exchange rates, illiquidity in the foreign exchange market, high interest rates, high trade costs, declining purchasing power, rising production costs, rising energy costs, a slump in the utilisation of industrial capacity, and erosion of profit margins. The communiqué was signed by the Guild’s President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren.

An invitation from Governor Eno to participate in the State’s month-long Christmas celebration, which includes the 2023 Ibom Christmas Carol scheduled for December 15 at Unity Park, Uyo, was one of the conference’s most intriguing features.

Editors who saw the Governor’s declaration at the Gala Night as a continuation of the kindness they had received from the Akwa Ibom State Government during the Conference gave loud applause.

On Saturday, November 18, 2023, before they left for their different locations, a number of the editors were heard saying that they would like to go back to Uyo to enjoy the Ibom Christmas Carol.

It all began good and concluded well.For a very long time to come, editors will remember the Uyo ANEC as one of the NGE’s most successful events ever.