… Focusing On The Media, INEC, Voters, Path To Credible Elections
By Helen Udofa
UYO
Nigerian editors, under the aegis of Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) is set to host the 4th Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture scheduled to take place in Lagos on July 23.
The annual lecture series was instituted by the NGE in 2023 to honour the legacy of the late iconic journalist, one-time President of the NGE, former Lagos State Governor, and former Minister of Works, Late Alhaji Lateef Jakande.
A press statement on Monday signed by the NGE President, Eze Anaba and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, indicated that the lecture will take place at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, with theme: “The Media, INEC, Voters and Path to Credible Elections” at 11am.
To be chaired by a former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the lecture would be delivered by Professor Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University,
Dignitaries expected at the lecture include the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the chief host and special guest of honour; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; elders of the Guild, including former governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba, and publisher of Vanguard Group of newspapers, Uncle Sam Amuka; as well as top government officials, managing directors and editors of print, electronic and online publications and civil society groups.
According to the statement, the Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture usually brings together media leaders, public officials, and civil society to reflect on nation-building, governance, and the role of the press, describing it as “a fitting tribute to Alhaji Jakande’s legacy, which embodies dedication to journalism, governance, and service to Nigeria.”
“The Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture continues to serve as a platform for thought leadership, policy debate, and national introspection, while keeping alive the standard Jakande set in journalism and public service,” it added.
The Guild also said that Mass Communication and Journalism lecturers as well as students of Caleb University, Ikorodu, Lagos; Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos; Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos and Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos, are expected to attend the lecture.
It added that university students were also invited to the lecture, every year, for them to “learn the value of service, excellence and dedication to journalism and public service as well as for them to connect with practising journalists who could serve as their role models in the profession.”
The Jakande Memorial Lecture started in 2023, with a lecture on “Lateef Jakande: The man, His Journalism, His Politics,” which was delivered by a Fellow of the NGE, Chief Felix Adenaike; and in 2024, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, chairman of ThisDay and Arise Mews TV, spoke on “Rapid Changing Media Landscape: Survival Strategies.”
The third edition, last year, had theme: “Journalism and the Challenge of Nation-Building in a Multi-Ethnic Society,” delivered by Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Mohammed.
Discussion about this post