The President, Bola Tinubu, and the governors of Delta and Rivers states, Sheriff Oborevwori, and Siminalayi Fubara, on Saturday congratulated Vanguard Editor, Mr Eze Anaba, on his election as the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
Anaba, who succeeds Mustapha Isah of Silverbird Group, was elected on Friday at the 2023 National Biennial Convention of the NGE in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
According to the result announced by the chairperson of the election committee, Mrs Maimuna Garba, Anaba scored 250 votes to defeat his rival, Mr Bolaji Adebiyi, who scored 81 votes in the election.
Meanwhile, the President in a statement on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, titled, ‘As journalism marches on in the service of Nigeria’, described the election as “successful and rancour-free”.
The President said the NGE had sent a resounding message to the country as a whole that elections for desired offices could be intensely competed for without degenerating into “bitterness, acrimony and needless malice”.
The statement added, “In this regard, Mr President commends those who lost out in the elections at various levels, such as Mr Bolaji Adebiyi of ThisDay Newspaper, for accepting the outcome and pledging support for the winners.
“This is a light that the NGE is showing that the rest of us may find the way to a mature, tolerant, stable and sustainable democratic culture.”
Also, Oborevwori in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, on Saturday in Asaba congratulated Anaba for a well-deserved victory, adding that with his contributions to the Guild as Social and Publicity Secretary, he was the right person to clinch the seat.
The governor lauded the theme of the convention, ‘Post-2023 election: Promoting professionalism for enhancement of democracy and good governance,’ saying it was apt and a good agenda setting for the enhancement of democracy and good governance by national and sub-national governments.
He added, “On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I congratulate you, Mr Eze Anaba, on your election as President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. It is my prayer that you will bring your robust wealth of experience in media management and huge contacts in the public and private sectors to bear, not only in advancing the course of the Guild, but the journalism profession in general.”
Similarly, the Rivers State governor, in a statement by his media aide, Boniface Onyedi, described Anaba as a seasoned journalist who would use his position to promote social harmony and development.
He charged editors to always put the interest of the nation first by upholding the tenets of truth and fairness at all times. He said he looked forward to partnering with the Guild to advance the frontiers of development in Rivers State under his continuity and consolidation agenda.
He congratulated the NGE for holding a successful convention.
Other officers that emerged from the event included the Deputy President, Husseina Bangshika; Vice President (East), Sheddy Ozoene; Vice President (West), Kabir Alabi Garba; Vice President (North), Umoru Ibrahim; General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren; Assistant Secretary, Gabriel Folajimi; Social/Publicity Secretary, Charles Kalu; and the Treasurer, Steve Osuji.
Also elected were seven Standing Committees, with Muhammad Sanusi and Paulyn Ugbodaga to represent the North; Chinedu Egere and Dom Isute for the East as well as Onuoha Ukeh, Rose Moses and Oluwole Sogunle for the West.
Anaba thanked members of the Guild for the confidence reposed in him, while thanking Isah for his leadership attributes and for organising a successful election.
He pledged to uphold the constitution of the Guild, promote the ethics of the journalism profession and lead the campaign against policies that undermine media freedom.
“I will do everything to achieve our guild’s vision and mission for the socioeconomic and political development of our Guild and country, Nigeria,” he added.
