– Over 400 Editors Converge to Debate Security, Inclusion, and the Media’s Role in National Cohesion
The media elite of Nigeria will gather in Enugu from June 26 to 29, 2025, as the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) holds its Biennial National Convention under the thought-provoking theme:
“Building a Secure and Cohesive Nigeria: The Role of Dialogue, Inclusion and the Media.”
In a statement signed by its President, Mr Eze Anaba and the General Secretary, Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren, it was revealed that more than 400 editors—spanning print, broadcast, and digital platforms—will converge on the Coal City, in what is poised to be one of the most consequential gatherings of media leaders in recent Nigerian history. The focus: redefining the media’s role in fostering peace, national identity, and democratic resilience amid a fragile security climate and growing ethnic polarisation.
The Power of Editorial Leadership on Display
The convention boasts a formidable lineup of Nigerian media titans:
- Prince Sam Amuka-Pemu, Publisher of Vanguard
- Chief Segun Osoba, veteran journalist and former governor
- Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, ex-presidential spokesperson and editorial legend
- Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of ThisDay and Arise News Channel
- Dr. John Momoh, Chairman of Channels Television
These stalwarts will lead discussions, lend historical context, and shape the editorial tone of the next phase of Nigerian journalism. Dr. Momoh will chair the event, while Prince Amuka-Pemu, Chief Osoba, and Chief Ugochukwu have been honoured as “Fathers of the Day” — symbolic recognition of their foundational roles in building the modern Nigerian press.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, will formally declare the convention open. Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State is billed to serve as Chief Host.
Security Takes Centre Stage
In a reflection of Nigeria’s complex security landscape, the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, will deliver a keynote titled:
“Nation’s Security Future: Harnessing Diversity for Peace/Stability and the Media’s Role.”
Joining him is National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, who will serve as a special guest—underscoring the high-level attention being paid to the intersection of national security and media engagement.
Media’s Mission in a Fractured Nation
In a joint statement signed by NGE President Mr. Eze Anaba and General Secretary Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the Guild articulated a clarion call for media to go beyond reporting — to become custodians of dialogue, defenders of diversity, and champions of inclusion.
“Nigeria’s diversity is not a weakness. It is a powerful source of strength, innovation, and resilience. But it must be managed through dialogue, not division,” the Guild stated.
“The media must actively foster tolerance, debunk misinformation, and spotlight marginalised voices—especially in a time when divisive rhetoric threatens our national cohesion.”
The convention will also feature elections into the Guild’s executive positions, setting the stage for a new generation of leadership in the media profession.
Why It Matters: Beyond a Guild Gathering
This year’s convention transcends internal professional matters—it is, in many ways, a referendum on the media’s evolving role in governance, accountability, and nation-building. As digital misinformation surges and traditional journalism battles declining trust, the editors’ collective voice and direction could reshape not only editorial policies but public discourse and national priorities.
In an era where journalism faces both existential and ethical tests, the NGE’s 2025 Convention could be the editorial reset Nigeria didn’t know it needed.
BRANDECONOMY’s Insight:
Enugu 2025 isn’t just a calendar event—it’s an industry inflection point. If Nigeria must be secured and unified, the media must be more than watchdogs. It must be bridge-builders, agenda-setters, and strategic allies in nationhood.
