Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday urged the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) to continue to ensure fair and objective reportage of national issues that would promote socio-economic development and national cohesion.
The Governor who spoke at the commissioning of Editors House, located at 24 Mojidi Street, Ikeja, said the NGE just like other professional and trade union bodies hold strategic stakes in the healthy development of the nation.
To this end, Governor Ambode tasked the Guild to ensure that more attention is devoted to issues that would assist government to ease the current hardship being experienced by the people and protection of lives and property.
“It is no longer news that out nation’s economy is in recession amidst other challenges that demand the patriotism and nationalistic spirit of all of us. Specifically for members of the Guild, as gatekeepers and moulders of opinion in our nation, you owe it as a national duty to ensure fair and objective reportage of issues with eyes on the promotion of socio-economic development and national cohesion.
“The practice of journalism and mass communication in this present time should be anchored on the best global journalistic ethos and must be moderated by local realities and national interest,” Governor Ambode said.
The Governor, who was represented at the event by his Deputy, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, however assured that his administration would continue to partner with the Guild in line with its determination to make positive difference in the lives of all Lagosians.
“We would appreciate your continued reportage of our activities accurately and objectively for the education, enlightenment and mobilization of support of our people especially as they relate to our policies and programmes in the years ahead,” he said.
Describing the Editors House as a new chapter that would ultimately earn the Guild respect and due recognition in the comity of professional bodies in the nation, Governor Ambode urged members to make good use of the facility to protect and promote national unity.
Earlier, President of the NGE, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, in her welcome address paid tribute to the founding fathers and past presidents of the Guild who contributed largely to the realization of the project, saying that a dream of 55 years had become a reality.
She also thanked the Federal Government, State Governments and other institutions that contributed immensely to see the project to reality, saying that the House would serve as not only a secretariat for the Guild, but a rallying point for its members.
Dignitaries present at the event include, former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Deputy Governor of Adamawa, Mr. Martins Babale, Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Bayo Onanuga who represented the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, representatives of Governors of Delta, Osun and Akwa Ibom, distinguished editors and chief executives of various media organisations, among others.