November 15, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) says it is excited over the ARISE agenda of Pastor Umo Eno’s administration in Akwa Ibom State, noting that it has started yielding positive dividends.
The President of the Guild, Mr. Eze Anaba, stated this at the Government House during a courtesy visit to the Governor ahead of the 19th All Nigerian Editors Conference billed for 15th-19th November 2023.
While thanking the Governor for accepting to host the Guild in the State, Anaba lauded the continuum in the government of Akwa Ibom, adding that the development strides of successive governments and the peaceful ambience have undoubtedly made the State a choice destination for all, as demonstrated in the unprecedented number of delegates to the 2023 ANEC.
“We’ve been following your ARISE Agenda and Akwa Ibom seems to be the only state in Nigeria where there is a continuum in government; and in terms of governance, the government of Akwa Ibom has produced enough for the citizenry
“So, it is now for the people to know what to do with the good governance they’re enjoying,” he said.
In his response, governor, Umo Eno, charged the guild to uphold the integrity of the profession by striving to maintain objectivity in their reportage.
The Governor advocated a free press, where Journalists can praise, criticise, comment and advise where necessary without undermining the ethics of the profession and tasked Journalists to be conscious of their sacred responsibility of shaping people’s orientation and social order, being the conscience of the society.
“We need a free press that is very unbiased in their reportage; you give praise where you have to, comment where you have to, make suggestions where you have to and criticise where you have to because you are the conscience of the society and everyone relies on the press because of its agenda-setting disposition,” Eno admonished.
He, however, reiterated his administration’s resolve to maintain the already robust partnership with the media community, as demonstrated in his recent approval of fifty media appointees.
The Governor emphasised that his administration was not opposed to constructive criticisms but committed to driving a narrative of governance that is aimed at making the rural dwellers reap the dividends of democracy and build trust in government.
“Since we came on board in the last six months, we have proven that during the campaigns, we didn’t just make vain promises. We carried out our assessment and decided to concentrate on our rural areas. So, we developed the ARISE Agenda; comprising Agriculture, Rural Development, Infrastructure, Security and Education.
“We are really focused on developing our rural communities, exposing our rural areas to government facilities and exposing our children to opportunities that we believe, if we give to them, they will excel.
“All we ask is that you help us tell the Akwa Ibom story as a people-centric government. You can also criticise us or suggest to us,” he maintained.
In the NGE delegation were the Deputy President, Husseina Bangshika; Vice President (East) Sheddy Ozoene; Vice President (West), Kabir Alabi; Vice President (North), Umoru Ibrahim; General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren; Assistant General Secretary, Gabriel Akinadewo; Treasurer, Steve Nwosu; and Charles Kalu, Social/Publicity Secretary, among others.
