The Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr. Eze Anaba, has been elected President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE). He polled 250 votes to defeat his opponent, the former Managing Editor of THISDAY, Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, who polled 81 votes.
The NGE is the umbrella body of the highest strata of working journalists who have attained the exalted position of editors in the journalism profession.
The election took place at the NGE’s Biennial National Convention which was held in Owerri, Imo State from 15th to 17th June 2023. The convention held at the Rockview Hotel was declared open by the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma.
Sheddy Ozoene
The Director of News, Radio Nigeria, Mrs. Husseina Bangshika was elected unopposed as Deputy President while the Editor of Guardian newspaper, Kabir Alabi Garba and Umoru Ibrahim of Triumph Newspaper Kano were also elected unopposed as Vice President (West) and Vice President (North), respectively.
In a keenly contested election for the Vice President (East), the Editor-In-Chief of People&Politics, Sheddy Ozoene defeated Mrs Boma Nwuke of Rivers State Radio Corporation by 204 to 119 votes.
Editor with THISDAY Newspaper, Iyobosa Uwugiaren defeated Lanre Oyetade to be re-elected as the Guild's General Secretary. Others elected include Steve Nwosu as Treasurer, Gabriel Akinadewo as Assistant Secretary and Charles Kalu, formerly of Silverbird TV, as Social/Publicity Secretary.
The Managing Director of Sun Newspapers Onuoha Ukeh, Rose Moses and Oluwole Sogunle of the News Agency of Nigeria were elected members of Standing Committee (West). Others are Chinedu Egere and Dom Isute as members of Standing Committee (East) while Muhammad Sanusi and Paulyn Ugbodaga of AIT/Raypower Abuja are members of the Standing Committee (North).
The results were announced by the Chairperson of the election committee, Maimuna Garba.
Anaba takes over the Guild presidency from Mustapha Isah of Voice of Nigeria. The new exco would pilot the affairs of the NGE for the next two years.
Over 400 editors are in Owerri for 2023 NGE biennial convention with the theme: ‘Post 2023 Election: Promoting Professionalism for Enhancement of Democracy and Good Governance.”
The Convention had the Vice President, Kashim Shettima as Special Guest of Honour while the Keynote Speaker was Dr. Chido Nwakanma; Father of the Day was the former Governor of Ogun State, Segun Osoba, while Dr. Tony Onyima was the Chairman of the Convention.
Speaking after his election, Mr Anaba thanked members of the Guild for the confidence reposed in him and promised not to let the Guild down. He thanked the outgoing president, Mustapha Isah, for his leadership attributes and for organising a successful elective convention.