By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State have tasked the media on reportage that promotes national dialogue and inclusion.
They made the call during the NGE’s 2025 Biennial National Convention, held in Enugu on Friday with the theme: ‘Building A Secure And Cohesive Nigeria: The Role of Dialogue, Inclusion and The Media’.
Members of the NGE converged on the International Conference Centre, Enugu, South-East Nigeria for the conference.
Speaking, the President of NGE, Mr Eze Anaba, emphasised the importance of media in reporting fairly and contributing meaningfully to peace-building.
He said the convention would critically examine the role of the media in building a secure and cohesive Nigeria especially in the light of the troubling security challenges confronting the nation.
Anaba noted that insecurity had, regrettably, become a defining feature of national discourse.
The NGE boss further noted that the challenges differ across the country’s regions while the severity is felt everywhere such as in the North-East and parts of the North-West where insurgency persists.
According to him, the Middle Belt continues to reel from inter-ethnic strife, often resulting in needless bloodshed and mass displacement.
“This reality compels us to ask hard questions: Could the media have done more to promote dialogue and inclusion as essential tools for conflict prevention?
“Are we, perhaps, sometimes guilty of amplifying fear and sensationalism? Are we presenting all sides of the story fairly?
“Most importantly, how can we, as journalists and editors, contribute constructively to the peace-building process?” Anaba asked.
He explained that the convention was aimed at interrogating these questions more and to reaffirm the media’s role not just as chroniclers of crisis, but as builders of bridges and agents of unity.
The president thanked Gov. Mbah for hosting the convention as well as his numerous landmark projects that were transforming Enugu State.
Declaring the convention open, Mbah urged the media to use their profession to build a society where progress would be assured, justice pursued and every citizen feels seen and heard.
“I sincerely hope for this convention to be truly more than a meeting of professionals, let it be an affirmation of a relationship,” he advised.
Highlighting his administration’s all-sector projects, the Governor said the projects reflect his government’s bold vision and commitment to transforming Enugu into a major city in the world.
Chairman of the convention, Mr John Momoh, tasked journalists on honesty, saying that editors do not just report the news but shape public opinion and influence national mood.
Momoh, who is also the Chairman, Channels Television, equally charged them not only to report conflicts, but spotlight the solutions, promote understanding and become bridge builders.
“Inclusion is about real representation. Too many people still feel invisible, too many voices still go unheard.
“We in the media must reflect the full picture of Nigeria not just in narrow sights,” he said.
In a remark, the former Governor of Ogun State and one of the Fathers of the Day, Chief Olusegun Osoba, hailed Mbah for road infrastructure, security digitalisation, Smart Green schools and others.
He, however, expressed the need for neighbourhood and state policing, stressing that it would be difficult for one to be in Abuja and be providing security in states and the local areas.
