The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has urged state governments in the Southeast and South-South regions to collaborate in addressing the escalating security challenges facing the areas.
This appeal was made during a two-day conference titled “The Media as Partners in Regional Development,” held in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, over the weekend. The event concluded with a communique signed by NGE President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren.
The NGE emphasized the responsibility of editors to minimize the spread of information from self-serving groups that contribute to insecurity and violence within the regions.
Organized in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Imo State government, the conference brought together 54 editors and media executives from the Southeast and South-South regions.
The NGE recognized the importance of robust media collaboration for sustainable development and encouraged regional media to adopt investigative and development journalism practices, along with constructive dialogue, to help restore unity in the zones.
“The media must embrace continuous innovation to remain at the forefront of digital transformation rather than resist it,” the communique stated. It also called on governors in the regions to rebuild the synergy, cohesion, and unity that historically facilitated the development of critical infrastructure.
Additionally, the editors were urged to prioritize children’s welfare in their reporting, holding accountable those states that have not yet adopted the Child Rights Act. The conference urged adherence to UNICEF protocols to ensure children’s issues are given prominence in developmental reporting, and to challenge the superstitious beliefs surrounding witchcraft that stigmatize children in the regions.
Participants noted the critical lack of available data for development agencies in these geopolitical zones and pledged to focus on generating necessary data to attract developmental partners to address local challenges.
Highlighting that the Southeast and South-South regions face greater challenges than other parts of the country, where more intervention funds have been allocated, the conference reaffirmed that the media holds a unique position to foster unity, inclusion, and democracy.
“The media plays an essential role in articulating shared visions for development at community, state, regional, and national levels,” they stated.
The editors also lamented the decline of state-owned newspapers, which historically contributed to regional development. They called for the revitalization of these publications and urged state governments to support them in a competitive landscape that would enhance their developmental contributions.
Chaired by Prof. Stella Chinyere Okunna, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of Paul University, Awka, the conference was officially opened by the Imo State Governor, represented by his deputy, Dr. Chinyere Ekomaru.
