Editors’ conference holds in Port Harcourt August 3-7

The 12th edition of the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) holds August 3-7, 2016 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State with the theme: Economic Diversification: Agriculture as Option for a Prosperous Nigeria.

No fewer than 300 Nigerian editors, a collection of mainstream farmers, agribusiness financiers, policy makers and captains of industry are expected at the event.

Host governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, said the conference would afford the state the opportunity to showcase its investment potentials. In a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor noted that the conference would be a fitting platform to partner with editors and the media to consolidate development in the state and nation.

According to Wike, the state is hosting several national and international events as a demonstration of the fact that Rivers State is an investors’ destination, stressing that the state is peaceful and the people hospitable.

The conference is the largest gathering of Nigerian editors. It is a watering hole of ideas that have shaped government policies and programmes over the years. The maiden edition was held in 2004 at Ada, in Osun State. Subsequent editions have been held in different parts of the country. The conference also attracts both local and foreign speakers as well as editors from organizations such as the West African Editors Forum (WAEF), the African Editors Forum (TAEF), the World Editors Forum (WEF) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

This year’s edition has been tailored primarily to focus on agriculture as a counterfoil to the dwindling receipts from crude oil.  Speakers include a rich mix of practising farmers, agriculture financiers and policy-makers.

The Founder of HoneySuckle PTL Ventures, Mosunmola Cynthia Umoru, would speak on Agriculture, as panacea for unemployment while Mr. Kola Adeniji of Niji Farms would talk on Agriculture as a Foreign Exchange Earner. The Chief Executive of Bank of Agriculture, Professor Danbala Danju, would be explaining the Role of Banks in Agriculture Financing while Kano-based farmer, Muhammad Abubakar, the Managing Director of L&Z Integrated Farms would experientially explore the topic: Making the Most of Agriculture Value Chain.

The Acting President of the Guild, Funke Egbemode, said: “The sole emphasis on agriculture for this year’s conference was in response to the falling price of crude oil at the international market which has automatically reduced government’s earnings and revenue base. This is the first the conference is focusing on agriculture in the most pragmatic sense and it is meant to draw the nation’s attention to the limitless opportunities that abound in agriculture.”