Your Role is Central and Indispensable in Democracy, President Tinubu to Editors.

By Elizabeth Salami.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared open the 21st Nigerian Guild of Editors conference in the State house in Abuja with emphasis on the central role of Editors in democratic governance.

According to the President, “Democracy is not sustained only by elections and votes but also by the integrity of public conversations.” Here he said is where the role of the Editors become “central and Indispensable”.

He noted that “as editors and managers of the national information space, they shape narratives, influence public understanding,decides what becomes national focus and interprets our collective challenges.”

“Journalism is more than a profession as it is an instrument of national awakening” the President stressed.

He commended the Editor’s commitment, dedication, patriotism and partnership in birthing and sustaining democracy in Nigeria. But however sued for more professional engagement .

In his welcome address, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, Mr Eze Anaba acknowledged with gratitude, that President Tinubu is the first sitting President to attend the Editors’ conference since inception.

The NGE President made a passionate plea to President Tinubu to provide legal protection for press freedom and fiscal incentives to help the Nigerian media survive.

“When the Press thrives democracy breathes, when it is stifled, democracy suffocates.”he cautioned.

A keynote address on the conference theme, ‘Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors’ was delivered by Sen. Hope Uzodinma, the governor of Imo State. He reinstated the power the Editors wield, comparing them to Pastors, who have the power to decide what becomes urgent and what disappears.

“You choose the lens through which millions of Nigerians see their country, their leaders and each other”he told the Editors.

He recognised that Nigeria Editors have accomplished much, but still placed a demand for journalism that, “actively builds national cohesion.”

The two day Editors’ conference had papers presentations and discussions bordering on security, new technology and journalism amongst others.

The conference pulled together over four hundred Editors from broadcast, print and digital media, with government officials, business leaders, royal Fathers and politicians.