Media Must Prioritise Peace Over Breaking News—NGE

President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Eze Anaba, has urged the Federal Government to adopt a strategic and inclusive approach to strengthening the country’s security architecture.

During the 2025 biennial conference held on Friday, June 27, 2025, Anaba stressed the need to leverage Nigeria’s diversity for sustainable peace and stability.

The conference, themed “Nation’s Security Future: Harnessing Diversity for Peace/Stability and the Media’s Role,” also called on security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and proactively address security threats.

In a joint communiqué signed by the NGE General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, the Guild urged the media to carry out their responsibilities with patriotism.

It called on the government to regard the media as a body of professionals committed to the national interest.

Anaba, in his remarks, said: “Security is the duty of the government and citizens. Security agencies should step up intelligence gathering and be proactive in handling security challenges.

“The legislature should look into laws that inhibit media practices in the spirit of democracy.

“Security agencies and media must collaborate to promote peace and stability.

“The media must promote peace, inclusion, and justice by prioritizing peace and stability over breaking news.

“Media practices should promote diversity and representation as well as avoid one-sided stories and sensationalism.

“The media should promote dialogue and consider the implications of reporting certain things.”

The Guild also urged the federal government to provide military and other security agencies with modern equipment to improve national safety and combat emerging threats.

Following deliberations, the conference elected 16 new executive members to lead the Guild’s next phase.

The newly elected officers are:

Eze Anaba – President

Sabastine Abu – Deputy President

Sheddy Ozoene – Vice President (East)

Hamza Idris – Vice President (North)

Kabir Garba – Vice President (West)

Onuoha Ukeh – Secretary

Gabriel Akinadewo – Assistant Secretary

Iyobosa Uwugiaren – Treasurer

Charles Kalu – Social/Publicity Secretary

Rose Moses – Standing Committee Member (West)

Juliet Bumah – Standing Committee Member (West)

Olabisi Deji-Folutile – Standing Committee Member (West)

Umoru Ibrahim – Standing Committee Member (North)

Paulyn Ugbodaga – Standing Committee Member (North)

Chinedu Max Egere – Standing Committee Member (East)

Ikpong Essien-Udom – Standing Committee Member (East)

Addressing the new executive council, Anaba encouraged collaboration with the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) to establish a Media Trust Fund aimed at supporting Guild members.

He urged the council to uphold the Guild’s core values of ethical journalism, professional standards, and protection of members’ rights.

Present at the event included the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, the Chairman of Channels Television, Dr. John Momoh; and the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi.

Media Must Prioritise Peace Over Breaking News—NGE is first published on The Whistler Newspaper