Editors Express Concern Over Complex Challenges Facing Nigeria – Independent Newspaper Nigeria

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…Urge Govt To Address Economy, Insecurity, Governance

 The Nigerian Guild of Ed­itors (NGE) has expressed deep concern over the multifaceted challenges confronting the nation, particularly in the areas of economy, insecurity, ed­ucation, governance, and the media industry.

While noting the Feder­al Government’s efforts to respond to these challenges through reforms, the NGE stated that the impact of these reforms is becoming unbearable for the poor.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its Standing Committee Meeting in Ow­erri, Imo State, and signed by Eze Anaba, President, and Onuoha Ukeh, General Secretary, the Guild urged the Federal Government to put in place more safety nets to address hardship, inflation, and poverty.

The Guild also called for a holistic approach to addressing insecurity, in­cluding enhanced intelli­gence gathering, commu­nity policing, and strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders.

The NGE noted the re­cent major breakthrough in the ongoing war against terrorism, including the arrest of leaders of two militant groups on Nige­ria’s most wanted list, the heads of Ansaru, an al- Qaida-linked group, and Mahmuda.

It, however, emphasised the need for sustained ef­forts to address insecurity and restore confidence in farmers to return to pro­ducing food.

The professional media group also raised the alarm in the education sector, not­ing the sorry state of edu­cation in the country and urged governments at all levels to prioritise educa­tion by improving funding, infrastructure renewal, and welfare for educators.

According to the Guild, “Education is essential for economic growth and development, fostering in­novation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.”

The NGE also called on governments at all levels to be more committed and transparent in addressing the needs of citizens, espe­cially the rural populace.

Speaking on the state of the media in the coun­try, the Guild condemned growing hostilities against media organisations and professionals by some secu­rity agencies and non-state actors, calling on govern­ments to partner with the media to deepen and pro­tect democracy.

The editors warned against attempts to weak­en the media, stating that “a weak media may fail to hold those in power ac­countable, limit access to information, and create a disconnect between the public and reality.”

The Guild thanked the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for his efforts at delivering the dividends of democra­cy to his people and urged him to continue partner­ing with the media to­wards nation-building and promotion of peace and unity.