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From Stanley Uzoaru and George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has advised editors and media practitioners against playing up or propagating publications that could undermine the unity of the country.
He gave the advice at the opening ceremony of the 18th All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) 2022, yesterday, in Owerri, Imo State.
The two-day conference has as theme “2023: Political Landscape, Credible Elections and the Role of Editors.”
Uzodimma said the role of editors is critical to the success of the 2023 elections and urged them as the main gatekeepers to focus more on national rather than on proprietorial interests.
He also condemned some journalists for failing to discharge their duties responsibly.
“I am not asking that you should not report the facts but how you report the facts matters a lot and can make the difference. As editors, you have a patriotic duty to manage these sacred facts for the ultimate good of our dear nation. As leaders of media, you have a duty to restrain your institutions from speculating on the results of the elections. As editors, distance yourself from pecuniary interests and be guided instead by national interest.
“I am horrified to admit that some sections of the press have been at the forefront of inflaming passion in Nigeria through their sensational and combative posturing in the name of dissemination of information.
“Your primary duties are to inform, educate and entertain, but in the exhibition of this huge responsibility, some journalists have sacrificed objectivity and allowed themselves to be taken captive by emotional, tribal and religious privileges.”
He said Imo State was peaceful contrary to the “jaundiced narrative” circulating mostly on social media.
Former president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo, in his lecture charged Nigeria journalists to brace up to the challenges of sustaining the country’s democracy.
He described editors as authors of reforms and therefore urged them to play a major role in the political transition of the country in 2023.
Hammering on the theme of the conference “2023, political landscape, credible elections and the role of editors” the former Minister of Information and Culture tasked editors to arise and defend the country.
Nwodo listed the scrutiny of the judiciary, failure of the Nigeria police as areas editors should focus to enable the country sustain its democracy.
He also made a case for restructuring and devolution of power describing it “as the only way to salvage our ailing economy, it will drastically reduce corruption.”
He contested the labelling of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as terrorist organisation by the Federal Government, while treating Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen differently.
“The description of IPOB as terrorists organisation is unfair and not in conformity with the law. Evidences warranting such description should be showcased. Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen have murdered more people in several parts of the states, but IPOB and Boko Haram are described as terrorists organisations. The Fulani herdsmen have killed a lot of people, but they are spared and refused to be labelled terrorists organisation.”
In her opening remarks, Chairman of the conference, Prof. Stella Okunna, reminded editors that they were the ultimate gatekeepers, agenda setters, framers of information and status conferrers of the legitimacy of people and issues.
The deputy vice chancellor of Paul University, Awka, commended the guild for the choice of the theme.
President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Mustapha Isah, called for substantial compliance to the Electoral Act, to ensure credible conduct of the 2023 elections.
“We are aware that most of our politicians are desperate and can do anything to circumvent the system just to win. However, it is our duty as editors to expose anti-democratic elements planning to ensure that the people’s will doesn’t prevail. The Nigerian Guild of Editors demands issue-based campaigns from the candidates,” he said.
Speaking to newsman, Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Ltd., Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, stated that journalists have always been at the forefront of democracy.
He noted that the conference is about the critical roles journalists have always played in the development of the nation.
“We are talking about the coming election and we are saying that we have to set the agenda and to sensitise Nigerians to know who the candidates are, their manifestos and so, this is not the first time that the press will be doing this. Before independence, those at the forefront of the struggle were the likes of Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Anthony Enahoro and others. So, that is exactly what we are going to do in the coming election.”
