The Nigerian Guild of Editors will interrogate the nation’s economy at its 19th Annual Conference scheduled for between November 14 and 18, 2023 at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
According to a statement on Sunday by the NGE General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the conference theme is “Stimulating Economic Growth, Technological Advancement: Role of the Media.”
The statement said economy experts and technocrats from global and local institutions would gather to interrogate the state of Nigeria’s economy, missing gaps, and the role of the media executives, and editors in resolving the challenges during the conference.
The conference to be chaired by the Founder/Chairman of Vanguard Newspapers Group, Uncle Sam Amuka, will be declared open by President Bola Tinubu.
“Our country continues to face huge development challenges, including the need to reduce the dependence on oil for exports and revenues, diversify its foreign exchange sources, close the infrastructure gap, build strong and effective institutions, as well as address governance issues and strengthen public financial management systems.
“The conference is also expected to examine the impact of illegal oil refinery, bunkering, and oil theft, which has continued to threaten the survival of the nation’s economy, and a major threat to Nigeria in meeting its revenue,” the statement said.
The Guild added that the gathering would also afford the participants the huge opportunity to discuss issues affecting the journalism profession and proffer solutions that would enhance its robust practice in the country.
“The goal of the conference is to remind editors and media executives that economic actors need accurate, credible, and timely information to allocate resources judiciously. Foreign/local investors and other groups in the economic ecosystem, demand a governance-monitoring role from the media.
‘’Masters of economy, Tech experts, and technocrats from both within and outside the country: African Development Bank, World Trade Organisation, Central Bank of Nigeria, academics, and other sectors have been invited to examine the burning issues – including the role of the editors in shaping the narrative and stemming the challenges,” the statement added.
