2023 loading: Atiku promises inclusive government of national unity, if elected - ITREALMS

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The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has revealed plans to run an inclusive government of national unity, if elected next year, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking at Editors' Forum hosted by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in Lagos on Wednesday, Atiku who commended the guild for making efforts at ensuring that the meeting held, noted that media roles in democratic restoration cannot be over-emphasised.

Nigerian Guild of Editors lament state-of-the-nation, elevates Egbemode to acting president

ITRealms:

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) concluded its 2nd quarterly Standing Committee Meeting of the year on Friday, July 8, 2016 in Abuja with songs of lamentations, just as they elected Mrs Funke Egbemode, the Managing Director/Editor in Chief, Telegraph Newspaper, as the Acting President, reports ITRealms.

Egbemode’s elevation follows the recent appointment of else-while president, Garba Deen Muhammad as the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

ITRealms also reports that NGE in a six point communique noted with dismay that the economy is largely in a bad shape showing signs of recession, as statistics of unemployment is worsening while the future looks bleak. It therefore urges the Federal Government to take urgent steps to revitalise the economy in the area of job and wealth creation in order to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

The Guild equally condemned in strong terms the vandalism of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region and called for dialogue by creating avenues to engage the various agitators in order to address their concerns and urged the agitators to embrace dialogue.

The Guild also noted with concern the increasing spate of kidnapping across the country and calls on the new Inspector-General of Police to come up with more proactive measures to curb the menace.

“It, however, commends the gallantry of the Nigerian military in its fight against terrorism in the north east and the recovery of territories from the insurgents and urges government to pursue the anti-terrorism fight with more vigour until peace is fully restored to the troubled area,” the statement signed by the duo of acting president, Funke Egbemode and General Secretary, Victoria Ibanga, decried.

Further, the Guild expressed concern over the pathetic living condition of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and called on government, corporate organisations, individuals and international agencies to come to their aid.

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Guild of Editors want FG to protect girl-child, condemns rising abuse of minors

ITRealms:

Concluding its first quarterly Standing Committee meeting at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja at the weekend, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has urged the Federal Government to introduce strong policies to protect rights of children, especially the girl-child, reports ITRealms.

This is coming as NGE also condemned unequivocally the increasing case of abductions and abuse of minors across the country.

In a communique made available to ITRealms at the end of meeting and endorsed by the outing President Garba Deen Mohammad and assistant general secretary, Mary Atolagbe, the Guild in a five-point statement, noted that the current economic challenges facing the country has made the need to diversify the Nigerian economy more compelling and urges government to quickly evolve very clear and productive policies on mining, as well as make agriculture more attractive through the provision of soft loans and other incentives that would facilitate the development of the agricultural sector.

ITRealms also reports that the Guild expressed disappointment over the poor conduct of the last JAMB computer-based examinations, describing it as a national embarrassment capable of truncating the destinies of future leaders.

“The Guild, therefore, implores government to immediately halt the approval of centres that lack the capacity to ensure seamless conduct of such examinations,” part of the communique read.

NGE further notes that with concern that the media industry, like most other sectors, is suffocating under the prevailing economic challenges, which poses a threat to the survival of traditional media in particular and credible information dissemination. It therefore asks the government to review policies that impede the operations of the media in order to sustain democracy and avoid job losses.

The Guild also acknowledged the recent changes in the status of its leadership and unanimously agrees on a handover plan that will culminate in a change of baton at its next Standing Committee Meeting.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) 
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Frivolous Petitions Bill 2015: NGE says Senate undermines Nigerian Constitution

ITRealms:

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has demanded unconditionally, the suspension by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria all proceedings with respect to a proposed Bill, "Frivolous Petitions (Prohibitions etc) Bill 2015," reports ITRealms.

President, NGE, Garba Deen Muhammad, told ITRealms, that broad objective of this curiously accelerated Bill is to outlaw the freedom of expression of all Nigerian citizens and freedom of speech of all media organizations operating in print, electronic and on-line platforms in Nigeria and beyond.

“Appallingly, the Bill has also included as its target very personal and private means of communication such as SMS or text messages and WhatsApp, among others,” NGE lamented.

NGE President also stressed that the freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed in section 22 and 39(1) of the 1999 Nigerian constitution respectively. Stressing that to enact any kind of law under any guise that will contradict these fundamental provisions is to deliberately seek to undermine the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We are, therefore, concerned that a group of persons elected by Nigerians to ensure that their rights, privileges and interests are protected, should gleefully misuse the mandate given to them to the detriment of the same people that elected them,” Guild President said.

He pointed out that there are already existing laws in our Constitution that can accommodate all the concerns, real or imagined, that the proposed Bill is expected to address. These laws include the Cyber Crime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, the Libel law etc.

According to press statement personally endorsed by NGE president, its n view of this and the glaring danger posed by the proposed Bill, the NGE is strongly advising the Senate to drop all proceedings on the proposed Bill and turn its attention instead to critical areas in need of urgent intervention.

NGE believes the Senate has a right both individually and collectively to express their concerns about the abuse of the cyberspace by unscrupulous people and organizations, they should consolidate or strengthen the existing laws and enforce implementation.

“We call on all Nigerians that are justifiably peeved by the very consideration of enacting such obnoxious law to remain calm and express their opposition through lawful means,” he said, maintaining that NGE frowns at on-line fraudsters who take advantage of the vulnerable cyber space to carry out cyber bullying, stealing, stalking and all manner of cybercrimes.

 

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Pix: Senate president, Abubakar Saraki

Guild of Editors mourns late Hajiya Bilkisu

ITRealms:

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), has expressed deep sense of loss and sadness over the death of a Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf, (FNGE), who died during a stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, September 24, 2015, reports ITRealms.

NGE General Secretary, Victoria Ibanga in a press statement made available to ITRealms, described Hajiya Bilkisu as trailblazer, quintessential, and indefatigable Nigerian Journalist who was invaluable and respected fellow of our prestigious association.

“We are greatly saddened by her untimely passing and sincerely convey deep sympathies in this difficult time to members of her family who painfully bear the brunt of her sudden exit,” she said.

According to NGE, Hajiya Bilkisu broke the glass ceiling to edit two national newspapers and a magazine namely, The Triumph in Kano, The New Nigerian, and Citizen (both in Kaduna). 

“Besides being the first female Editor from Northern Nigeria, she scored many other firsts in the course of her sojourn here on earth. She was the founding member of Women in Nigeria (WIN), the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association (FOMWAN), a columnist for Daily Trust and Leadership newspapers, and the Executive Director of Advocacy Nigeria, a movement for the reduction of maternal and child mortality,” NGE noted.

Further, the Guild said that in a journalism carrier, which spanned over three decades, Hajiya Bilkisu, carved a niche for herself, contributing immensely to the growth of the Guild and development of the media industry in Nigeria, Africa and the whole world.

“This feat had made her a great citizen of the world,” NGE said.

Bilkisu, the NGE said, through her work touched many lives, united families, states and the nation in general and was fondly called was also a brilliant voice for the voiceless Nigerian Girl Child.

“We also convey our heartfelt sympathies to the families of other victims of the tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families,” NGE prayed, stressing the need for the organizers of the pilgrimage to take precautionary measures to avoid future occurrences.

+ITRealms DSA 

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Guild of Editors appeal for release of Donu Kogbara

ITRealms:

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has appealed for the immediate release of one of its own, Ms Donu Kogbara, a columnist with the Vanguard Newspaper, who was abducted on Sunday, August 30, 2015 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, reports ITRealms.

President, NGE, Garba Deen Muhammad, in a press statement made available to ITRealms on behalf of NGE passionately appealed to the kidnappers of “our friend Ms. Donu Kogbara who was abducted on Sunday, 30/8/2015, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Donu Kogbara is a 

columnist with the Vanguard newspaper.”

He also urged those holding Donu to remember that they have mothers, sisters, wives and daughters whom they cherish and protect intensely. Stressing that Donu is also a mother, wife and sister to other people who care deeply about her. 

“They must not hurt her and should please release her to return to her family immediately,” NGE President said.

As a columnist, Garba noted that Donu always stood for the truth, the poor and the downtrodden in her approach to national and local issues, and wondered why anybody could kidnap her.

“It is therefore a big disservice to her that she should be subjected to the traumatic experience of being a victim of kidnapping. We implore her abductors to be humane and to release her unconditionally to continue with her crusade for a better country for all Nigerians,” he lamented.

Garba also charged the police and other security agencies to take every step necessary to ensure the safe release of Donu Kogbara; and to put in place measures that will guarantee the safety and security of all Nigerians, especially those exposed to higher risks such as journalists.

To the family of Donu, NGE said, they want them to know that the Guild feel their pain at this very trying period.

“We shall continue to work and pray for the safe return of our dear colleague,” Guild President said.

  +ITRealms DSA +Remmy Nweke (ITRealms)

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Pix: Donu