By Tony Adibe
Highly rated elders and pioneers of modern media in Nigeria, including but not limited to the former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Daily Times of Nigeria, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba and the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Channels Television, Dr. John Momoh have described Nigerian Editors as some of the best in the world, regardless of debilitating circumstances under which they operate.
The veteran journalists spoke during the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) biennial conference, which opened in Enugu on Friday. The veterans also called for the integration of South East in the scheme of things in Nigeria as a way of bringing an end to the Nigeria-Biafra War. Chairman of the convention and Chief Executive Officer of Channels Television, Dr Momoh, said that the South East Zone, particularly Enugu, carries the scars of history.
Chief Onyema Ugochukwu
The scare relates to the Biafra story, which he noted, is still being carried down because of exclusion and pain, according to him. “We must bring them to inclusion as a national healing,” Momoh said.
On the theme of the conference, “Building a Secure and Cohesive Nigeria: The role of Dialogue, Inclusion and the Media,” Momoh said that there can be no security without justice. He said, “So what is our role as media officers? We shape opinions, and it’s a power that comes with responsibility. Let us not only report conflicts, but let’s be bridge builders of national conscience.”
In a remark, former Ogun State Governor and veteran journalist, Osoba emphasized that Nigerian editors are rated as among the best in the world, stressing that they have been able to move with the information and technology transition making it possible for the national Dailies in the country, for instance, to be read online from midnight everyday.
“Editors in Nigeria are the best despite our challenges, and I urge you to keep the flag flying,” he said. Osoba bemoaned the worsening insecurity in the country and called for the establishment of neighbourhood police and state police as part of the security network in the country.
Chief Segun Osoba
“As a young man living in Lagos, people don’t wait for police or other security agents to handle issues of theft, as they resolve such themselves. I therefore recommend neighbourhood police and state police in order to decentralize the security system in the country,” he said.
Also speaking, former MD of Daily Times of Nigeria and former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), Chief Onyema Ugochukwu asked journalists to stick to their two primary functions of speaking for the voiceless and holding government accountable.
“Journalism is a very difficult profession, and I want to thank journalists for weathering the storm,” Ugochukwu said.
But President of NGE and Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba, noted that insecurity with high cases of insurgency and kidnapping has regrettably become the subject of discourse everywhere in Nigeria.
He stressed that with such cases, it was time for introspection by the media. “Will the media have done more, or a
re we guilty of amplifying fear? how can we contribute? Can we rise to the responsibility of inclusion? how can we contribute to a safer Nigeria?” Anaba presented as topics for the conference.
NewsBits reports that the convention, which was declared open by Enugu State Governor, is expected to produce new officers of the Guild.
