•What they saw, their remarks
From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
It was a gathering like no other. Over 400 editors from across Nigeria converged on the Coal City, Enugu, Enugu State, last week for the 2025 Biennial National Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
The International Conference Centre, Independence Layout, venue of the event, buzzed with camaraderie, critical conversations and bold visions for a better Nigeria.

As the activities were wrapped up at the weekend, one thing was clear: journalism in Nigeria is not only alive and kicking but more than ever is determined to shape a secure, cohesive and inclusive nation.
At the heart of the gathering was the election of new officers for the guild. Editor-in-Chief/Managing Director, The Sun Publishing Limited, Onuoha Ukeh, emerged as the new General Secretary in a keenly contested poll. He clinched the position with 218 votes, outpacing Wole Sogunle, who polled 45 votes and Qasim Akinreti, 30 votes.
NGE president, Eze Anaba, Editor, Vanguard, was re-elected, while ThisDay’s Iyobosa Uwugiaren, was elected Treasurer.
But beyond the ballots, the event also offered a platform for reflection and direction. The theme, “Building a Secure and Cohesive Nigeria: The Role of Dialogue, Inclusion and the Media,” provided ample room for a rich exchange of ideas.
Chairman of the event and founder of Channels Television, Dr. John Momoh, set the tone, calling for an end to the political and socio-economic exclusion of the South East: “The region, particularly Enugu, still bears the scars of past neglect, especially from the aftermath of the Biafran war. We must bring them to inclusion as a form of national healing.”
He challenged journalists to be more than reporters of conflict: “As media professionals, we shape opinions, and that power comes with responsibility. Let us not only report conflict, but be bridge builders of national conscience.”
Governor Peter Mbah, who hosted the gathering, called for a reset in the relationship between government and the media: “We know that the relationship of trust has sometimes frayed between the press and government. Too often, our engagements are shaped by suspicion or cynicism.
“Let us change that. Let us return to a shared recognition that we are co-authors of Nigeria’s future. Democratic governance cannot succeed without the participation, and interrogation, of an informed public. And that the public relies on a press that is fair and fearless.
“We need a media that is inclusive, that gives voice to the margins, that reflects the diversity of Nigeria’s people, not one that dilutes or silences dissent. A press that excludes, weakens democracy itself.
“And secondly, we believe accountability strengthens governance. That is why here in Enugu, we welcome scrutiny. We have opened our books, our processes and our policies to public examination.”
He cited ongoing initiatives such as the construction of 260 Smart Green Schools, 260 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres, and 260 Farm Estates as examples of how his administration is bridging the divide between rural and urban areas:
“Enugu is not just building roads, schools, and hospitals. We are restoring public trust. We are expanding the civic space and fostering robust dialogue, because we know governance without inclusion is fragile, and democracy without scrutiny is hollow.
“Through our policies, we are bridging the divide between urban and rural areas. No one’s location should determine access to quality education or reliable healthcare. So, in Enugu, innovation and inclusion are not slogans. They are both the foundation and pillars of our governance.
“We are connecting our people to new skills, new markets, and new possibilities. And we are doing so with an eye on the future. Our vision is bold: a $30 billion economy driven by enterprise and accountable leadership.”
Former Ogun State governor and media veteran, Aremo Segun Osoba, praised Nigerian editors for their resilience and professionalism but stressed the need for state and community policing as a realistic solution to Nigeria’s security challenges: “In the past, even minor security breaches were intolerable to citizens, irrespective of the presence of security forces.”
Osoba’s call was echoed by another media titan, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, former chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He urged editors to remain steadfast in their duty as watchdogs of society: “We must continue to give voice to the voiceless and hold the powerful accountable.”
Anaba also had some deep questions for his colleagues: “Could the media have done more? Are we guilty of amplifying fear? Can we rise to the responsibility of promoting inclusion and contributing to a safer Nigeria?”
The editors on Saturday, toured projects of the Mbah-led administration in the state including some smart green schools, ongoing rehabilitation of the abandoned Presidential Hotel, urban roads among others.
If the event was any indication, the Nigerian Guild of Editors is ready to do more, and be more. The editors came, they saw and they left Enugu re-energised.