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Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godwill Akpabio and the Minister of Informational and Culture, Lai Mohamed, have admonished the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) to promote unity and patriotism in their reportage in order to engender peace and development in the country.
Speaking at the Founation Laying ceremony of the N350 million Editors Plaza in Guzape District of the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday, Akpabio, who chaired the occasion, lauded the effort of Editors in nurturing democracy in the country, adding that the edifice is dream come true.
The Minority Leader in the Nigerian Senate said “Let us try our best to ensure that we cast the kind of headlines that will be patriotic in all respects that will attract investors to Nigeria. “As you construct your permanent edifice today in Abuja your headlines must be about unity in this county and it must be about peace and must indeed quell the anger that people feel whenever events occur.
“Nigeria is passing through very difficult times and this is the time for bi-partisan thinking. I stand here not as a party member but as Nigerian who feels strongly that Nigeria must remain one and united.
“The democracy we are enjoying today was brought about by journalists as some of you have paid the supreme sacrifice in order to establish this democracy. Therefore I must say you must help us to even nurture this democracy, you must help us to maintain this democracy irrespective of who is in power and who is not in power,” he said.
Minister of Informational and Culture, Lai Mohammed, while making his remarks lauded the Editors for their ceaseless efforts in bring about the dream and urged them to use the edifice to promote journalism in the years ahead.
“These are very trying time for Nigeria, and it does not matter who is in government, we seek your support, and your understanding. We are not saying that you should not criticize us but please be very fair.”
He said that the Boko Haram crisis was worsened by the receding of the Lake Chad which in 1963 occupied 25, square kilometer supporting about 35 million lives. He said however, that Lake Chad today occupies only 3,500 square kilometers meaning that 90% of the water has been lost.
He said that partnership between the media and government is beneficial urging the Editors to help build a peaceful, united and politically viable Nigeria.
President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Funke Egbemode, during her speech noted that the project came about after painstaking efforts saying, “We have weathered the storm, Nigerian editors made a choice and nurtured that choice. This property on which we are laying the foundation as the Editor’ Plaza became officially ours as a body on May 5, 2015, with the conveyance of the right of occupancy signed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. It measured 5,634.8 square,” she said.”
The Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, was represented by the spokesman of the Group, Tony Chiejine, while the Chief launcher Abdulsamad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA group, who officially laid the foundation, was represented by the Chief Operating Officer, Chimaobi Madukwe. Spokesman of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Isaac Okoroafor, represented the CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, while the FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, was represented by Oladimeji Hassan.
Innocent Odoh, Abuja
