NIGERIAN Guild of Editors (NGE) yesterday issued a statement clarifying circumstances surrounding a, N50 million donation to the guild.

A statement signed by the guild’s President, Garba Deen Muhammad, yesterday said: “After several calls and expressions of concern by a number of well-meaning Nigerians, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) is constrained to issue a statement to clarify the circumstances surrounding a N50 million donation made to the NGE by the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“On April 10, 2014, the NGE held a fund-raising dinner at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, to raise N850 million for the purpose of building a befitting secretariat in Abuja, which shall be called The Editors Plaza.

“It was a public event attended by several dignitaries among them federal cabinet ministers, state governors and captains of industry or their representatives.

“Former President Goodluck Jonathan was invited to the event at which he was represented by the former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Labaran Maku
.

“At the event, Mr. Maku, among other donors, publicly pledged N50 million as the Federal Government’s contribution towards the building project. Indeed, the announcement of this donation has been on the website of the NGE since April 12, 2014; and is still there for those who may wish to verify.

“Shortly after the event, the Federal Government redeemed its pledge through a transfer direct into the Zenith Bank account of the NGE.

“For the avoidance of doubt, neither Mr. Femi Adesina, who was the President of the guild at the time nor any other official of the Guild collected cash from the government as has been erroneously alleged by Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, Publisher of THISDAY newspapers in a letter he sent to the EFCC and made public on Monday, January 4, 2016.”

“Funds collected by the guild during the fund-raising have so far been invested in two projects viz: purchase of a property in Lagos which we have named The Editors House 
and is located at No. 24, Mojidi Street, Off Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos and paying compensation, clearing and fencing of our 5,600 sq.m piece of land
 at Guzape, Abuja, which is the site of the proposed Editors’ Plaza.

“It is regrettable that an earlier statement by the guild on the anti-corruption war of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari may not be unconnected with recent attempts to drag the guild into matter in which it has no case to answer whatsoever.

“The guild wishes to thank the public and all those who have stood by it over the years, including its founding-fathers and those media organisations that took time to check the claim with the leadership of the NGE and reported their findings accurately and assures the public and all stakeholders that it would continue to remain a responsible and accountable professional group”, the statement further said.