Owerri, Imo State capital is agog as editors from different parts of the country gather for the 18th All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) commencing today.
According to National Light report, the conference with theme, ‘Political Landscape, Credible Elections and the Role of Editors’ which will end on Sunday is aimed at achieving near consensus among senior editors, media owners and managers in shaping constructive, objective and productive narrative before, during and after the 2023 general elections in order to achieve credible and peaceful elections in the general interest of the country.
The conference will also afford the editors the opportunity to discuss issues affecting their profession and proffer solutions that will enhance journalism practice in Nigeria.
According to our correspondent, a good number of editors, who arrived Concord Hotel, Owerri, venue of the conference around 12noon yesterday were seen chatting and exchanging pleasantries while waiting to be allocated their various hotel rooms.
It was further observed that most businesses around the area, particularly food sellers were already having a field day making huge sales as majority of the editors hang out to catch fun and interact with colleagues.
Among those spotted on arrival include the first female professor of Mass Communication, Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation (ANPC), publisher of the National Light group of Newspapers, Sir Chuka Nnabuife and former editor, National Light newspaper, Mr Victor Agusiobo.
Speaking on their safe arrival, Prof Okunna, who will chair the opening ceremony, thanked God for bringing her and those with her safely to Owerri, stating that there were apprehension and anxiety while they were embarking on the journey considering the security situation of the country.
On expectations from the conference, she said: “We are here for a very profound conference. It’s election time and editors are meeting here and everybody is looking at us to see what we can do during the elections. I foresee a very vibrant conference. I foresee brainstorming. I foresee the editors rising to the occasion to make sure they don’t disappoint Nigerians with their reports in the forthcoming elections. So I believe it will go well from tomorrow to the end of the conference.”
National Light newspaper’s MD, Sir Chuka Nnabuife stated:” I am expecting that leaders of the media will offer real direction of social communication response ahead of the 2023 elections because the media have not really responded to the challenges of the elections. They have been playing catch up but have not offered functional directives to Nigerians”.
/National Light
