Founder Penpushing Media inducted member Nigerian Guild of Editors.

The Founder of Penpushing Media, owner of online newspapers and television, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji has been admitted into the membership of the Nigeria  Guild of Editors (NGE), the highest  body of the journalism gatekeepers  in the country

Penpushing reports that, the media practitioner’s induction alongside other new inductees was held on Saturday at the Imo State Government House,  Owerri  as part of activities of the 18th edition of the Guild’s Conference

The 3-day conference with the theme, ‘2023: Political Landscape, Credible elections and the Role of Editors’ was earlier on Thursday declared opened  by Governor Hope Uzodinma, with members of the Guild across the country as participants

Penpushing further reports that, the members were hosted to a dinner by the Governor on Saturday night, where the new inductees were presented, took oath of allegiance, and presented certificates of membership, with a  call on them to be professional and loyal to the body in all their activities towards developmental growth of the guild.

The President of the Guild, Mustapha Isah in his speech at the opening ceremony explained that the theme of the conference was carefully chosen in view of the forthcoming 2023 general elections, noting that as journalists they cannot afford to shy away from interrogating the present political landscape and preparations for the polls.

‘The theme was carefully chosen in view of the forthcoming 2023 general elections. As journalists, we cannot afford to shy away from interrogating our present political landscape and preparations for the elections’, he said

‘Considering the fact that we played a great role in the enthronement of the current democratic dispensation. It is in our enlightened self-interest to help nurture the baby which we made enormous sacrifices to midwife’, Isah stated

Penpushing also reports that, he said the conference will examine all aspects of the 2023 elections, including  the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security architecture, before and after the polls, as well as the role of election observers

The Guild  President pointed out that the most effective way to sustain the people’s interest in democracy is the conduct of free, fair and credible elections, adding that this partly explains why the media were in the forefront in the campaign for the passage of the electoral act 2022

‘It is our hope that substantial compliance with the law will lead to credible elections. We are aware that most of  our politicians are desperate and can do anything to circumvent the system just to win. Unfortunately, it is difficult to legislate against desperation’, he emphasized.

Penpushing reports that, Isah emphasized that, it was  however, the  duty of editors to expose anti-democratic elements planning to ensure that the peoples will was thwarted , adding that Nigerian Editors demand   issue-based campaign from candidates

‘’It is no longer news that campaigns for the 2023 elections have begun. The Nigeria Guild of Editors demands issue-based campaign from candidates. There are so many challenges facing the ordinary people which should attract their attention’.

‘As  gatekeepers, I plead that you shut out those who engage in divisive rhetorics . Shun politicians who want to use religion and ethnicity to divide the people in order to rise to power always find out later that, it is difficult to govern a divided country’

Penpushing  reports that, the President explained that some editors have participated in the Nigeria Guild of Editors-United States of America Embassy’s training programme which equipped them with tools to hold government officials accountable in line with their constitutional mandate

‘Now you are better placed to interrogate the candidates seeking votes of the people. We must ask critical questions. It is not enough for you to promise to create two million jobs a year. You must tell the people how you intend to achieve this. Those promising free education to PhD level must tell us where they will get the money to fund it”

Penpushing also reports that, Isah stressed that, media must give the sufficient and credible information to enable the people make informed electoral choices, and gave assurance that the Guild will always stand for media freedom

‘We are ready to challenge any attempt to trample on press freedom being it in the print, electronic or online. This annual conference provides an opportunity for members to see one another and interact. That is why most look forward to it”

Penpushing further reports that, former Minister of Information and Culture, Chief Nnia Nwodo at the conference made presentation paper on topic “Mobilizing Citizens for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria

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