Handle insecurity creatively, editors advise government

Hold conference on menace in October

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has described the recent security breach at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Afaka, Kaduna State, as a worrisome dimension to the prevailing insecurity in the country.

It, therefore, challenged the government at all levels to be more proactive and creative in tackling the menace besides fulfilling the constitutional responsibility of securing life and property.

In a communiqué signed by the President and General Secretary, Mustapha Isah and Iyobosa Uwugiaren at the end of the meeting of its Standing Committee in Dutse, Jigawa State, the guild, while acknowledging ongoing efforts to tame the problem, stressed that much more needed to be done.

The NGE said its 17th All Nigerian Editors Conference (ANEC) would hold on October 21 and 22, 2021 in Abuja, with the theme, “Media In Times Of Crisis: Resolving Conflict, Achieving Consensus.”

It said: “We acknowledge efforts by the Federal Government to achieve better results in tackling the nation’s security challenges, but the August 24 compromise of the security of the NDA in Afaka, Kaduna State by gunmen, is a worrisome dimension to insecurity.

“We call on the government to be more proactive and creative in the fight against insecurity, and in carrying out its constitutional duty of securing life and property in the country.”

The umbrella body of all editors in Nigeria said taking proactive measures was the way to go to push back and arrest the spate of banditry and kidnapping for ransom, which has continued to occur in parts of the country despite the continued onslaught by security forces.

The association also highlighted the constitutional role of the media in holding government officials accountable, while noting that the current administration has a duty of providing an enabling environment for the press to perform its role devoid of intimidation, with journalists having the responsibility of ensuring they operate in line with the ethics of the profession.

“We restate that a free press remains one of the bedrocks of democracy and nothing must be done to shrink the space. We commend the intervention of the Nigeria Press Organisation (NPO) in protecting the freedom of the press in the country,” the guild stated.

It appreciated the government and people of Jigawa for the conducive environment while the committee’s deliberations lasted.

On the upcoming ANEC, the body explained that the conference is geared at achieving “consensus and collective agreement” among media owners, managers and senior editors on “what role to play in helping government resolve the seemingly intractable conflict enveloping the nation today.”

It added that the yearly event would attract foreign partners notably the World Editors Forum (WEF), West African Editors Forum (WAEF), African Editors Forum (AEF), International Press Institute (IPI), and World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

The two-day gathering will also be graced by top security officers, chief executive officers in the private sector, governors, lawmakers, academics, among others.