By Helen Udofa
ENUGU
Nigerian editors under the aegis of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), have ended a 3-day 2025 Biennial National Convention with the re-election of Mr. Eze Anaba, an editor of Vanguard newspaper, as President, to pilot the affairs of the Guild for the next two years.
Anaba was returned unopposed at the election, Friday, which was the high point of the Biennial National Convention, with the theme: “Building A Secure And Cohesive Nigeria: The Role of Dialogue, Inclusion and The Media, which took place on June26-29, 2025 at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, and attended by about 400 editors drawn from various media organizations, nationwide.
Also returned unopposed were Kabir Alabi Garba, PhD as vice president, West; Sheddy Ozoene, vice president, East; Hamza Idris as vice president, North; Gabriel Folujimi Akinadewo as assistant secretary and; Charles Kalu as publicity secretary.
At the end of the keenly contested election, Mr. Abu Sabastine Saidu Mohammed polled the highest number of votes to emerge as Deputy President, while Mr. Onuoha Ukeh was elected as secretary and Iyobosa Uwugiaren, PhD, emerged as treasurer.
For the Standing Committees, the trio of Rose Moses, Olabisi Deji-Folutile and Juliet Bumah, all-females, were elected to represent the West Zone.
Similarly, Mr. Ikpong Essien-Udom and Mr. Chinedu Max Egere were elected as Standing Committee members for the East, while Umoru Ibrahim and Paulyn Ugbodaga were elected for the North Zone.
Declaring the Biennial National Convention open, the host and governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, pointed out that the convention came to the State at a pivotal moment, just weeks after Nigeria markedits 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule.
Mbah maintained that the press has been the lamp, lighting the democratic path and a mirror, reflecting the nation’s evolving society, saying the gathering was a recognition of the progress being made and the role the press continues to play in shaping Nigeria’s destiny.
The governor highlighted some of the achievements of his administration in the last two years and extolled the media for playing a supportive role in his government.
Chairman of the Convention and chairman of Channels Media Group, Dr John Momoh, charged editors and journalists to create space for real conversations across divides to build a secure and cohesive Nigeria, noting that the conversation must involve the young, old, communities, government and the governed.
“Let’s not only report conflict, let’s also spotlight solutions. Let’s promote understanding, let’s be bridge-builders.Now, let’s talk about inclusion. Inclusion is not about ticking boxes.It’s about real representation. Too many voices still go unheard. Women, youth, persons with disabilities, and ethnic minorities – they all deserve a seat at the table.
“Nigeria is a work in progress, but it is also a land of promise. If we come together, speak honestly, and commit to inclusion and justice, there’s no limit to what this nation can achieve.
“So, from this coal city, may we spark a new energy for dialogue, for inclusion, and for a media that helps rebuild Nigeria,” Mommoh remarked.
The NGE president, Mr. Eze Anaba, in his welcome address, thanked members of the Guild for the trust and confidence reposed in him by electing him to lead the group in the last two years.
Anabanoted that the 2025 biennial national convention was a gathering convened to critically examine the role of the media in building a secure and cohesive Nigeria.
A former president of the NGE and former chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, who was Father of the Day, thanked Journalists for standing in the trenches to ensure the sustenance of the traditional media, despite the economic pressure in the country, as well as commended them for holding government accountable.
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