Executive Secretary, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Prof. Godswill Obioma (left) and Executive Secretary, National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic In Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, signing MoU on Mainstream Trafficking in Persons into Curricula of Primary and Secondary schools in Nigeria, in Abuja, recently. Photo: NAN
Ahead of the 2015 general elections, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has decried the state of insecurity, kidnapping and insurgency in the country stressing that, the situation cannot guarantee of free and fair elections.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the All Nigerian Editors Conference in Katsina, the guild said that for the nation’s democracy to be strengthened the current state of insecurity must be addressed with the view to creating conducive environment for development.
The communiqué which was signed by the Guild’s president, Femi Adesina and General Secretary Isaac Ighure also called for adequate funding of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enable it conduct free and fair elections in 2015 and beyond.
The communiqué also reminded Editors of their role in promoting national discourse with a view to strengthening national unity, peace harmony as well as political, social economic growth and prosperity.
“That the Nigerian Editor should continue to promote the nation’s fledgling democracy and help in enthroning good governance in our country.
“That the Editor should continue to promote free and fair elections, which are key to the promotion and sustenance of democratic culture in the society through vigorous dissemination of information to the citizens”.
It also charged the media to set an acceptance performance index to gang the performance of governments at all levels, in the provision of basic amenities to the citizens, while politicians must shun hate speech, unguarded utterances, name calling and other antisocial behaviours in their use of the media to canvass for support.
While urging media practitioners to adhere to the code of ethics in the discharge of their duties, the conference commended the government and people of katsina state for their warmth aid hospitality as well as their contributions to the success of the conference.