By Barth Ikiebe.
Editors across the country are set to converge on Abuja for their annual conference (ANEC 2025).
The professional news gatekeepers of print, online, broadcast organisations and news agencies, under the umbrella of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), will begin to arrive in Abuja for the annual gathering slated for 12th and 13th of November.
NGE President, Eze Anaba and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, confirmed in a statement that no fewer than 500 members of the NGE have registered to attend the conference.
Also, government officials, members of the business community and diplomatic corps as well as people from all walks of life are expected at the two-day conference.
The ANEC will take place at the Presidential Villa Banquet Hall, Abuja and the NAF Conference Centre, Jabi, Abuja respectively.
The Guild confirmed on Wednesday that President Bola Tinubu will declare the conference open at the Presidential Villa Banquet Hall, on Nov. 12th, while the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar, will be royal father.
Also, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of Arise New and This Day newspaper will Chair the conference.
The statement states that Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo State will be the keynote speaker.
The theme of the conference is: “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors”. The sub-theme is: “Electoral Integrity and Trust Deficit: What Nigerians Expect in 2027”.
These themes are germane at this time when the country is facing socio-political and economic challenges.
”The editors’ conference is a credible platform to discuss and proffer solutions to issues pertaining to national development and cohesion.
”Papers and speakers have been carefully selected to address nagging issues in governance, polity and journalism.
”Prof Awa Kalu, eminent lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Managing Partner of Awa Kalu & Partners, will address the conference on Nov. 12th.
”Kalu will speak on “Election Disputes and Judicial Integrity: Navigating the Thin Line Between Law and Politics,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, HOD, Political Science and International Relations, University of Abuja, will take the stage thereafter to speak on: ” State of the Nation: Imperative of Economic and Political Reforms in Challenged Nation” to conclude the day’s event.
On Nov. 13th, the conference will shift to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Conference Centre, where former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, will speak on “Media, Terrorism, and National Security: Addressing the Complexities”.
Thereafter, the Dean, School of Post-Graduate Studies, Baze University, Prof Abiodun Adeniyi, will interrogate “The Evolving Face of Journalism: Battling Misinformation, AI Disruption, and Credibility Gap.”
Later in the day, there would be an Executive Session, where editors will engage government officials, political and business leaders.
The ANEC holds every year for editors to address national issues that have social, economic and political consequences in Nigeria.
