Editors: Insecurity Posting Negative Development Indices

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The 17th edition of All Nigerian Editors’ Conference has called for healthy and harmonious collaboration between the media and the security agencies in the fight against insecurity across the country.

The conference said insecurity challenges were taking a toll on societal life and posting negative development indices in several areas.

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It noted that peace and development, which are essential to further advancement of Nigeria, cannot thrive in times of crises, adding that governments at all levels have a huge responsibility to defend, protect and provide for its citizens.

These were among the resolutions the editors reached at the end of the conference, with the theme: Media In Times of Crises: Resolving Conflict, Achieving Consensus, put together by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) on October 21 and October 22, 2021, in Abuja.

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A communiqué by NGE President Mustapha Isah and General Secretary Iyobosa Uwugiaren, said the conference was attended by 350 editors, security chiefs, and other stakeholders.

It noted that the prevalent insecurity challenges, which have seen terrorists, bandits, armed herdsmen and other criminal elements holding the nation to ransom and threatening its survival and development, have the potential of tearing the country apart.

It reads: “The problem of insecurity confronting the country is taking a huge toll on societal life and posting negative development indices in several areas. That the insecurity crises stem from leadership failure that has bedevilled the country for many years.

“There are fears in some quarters that editors and media professionals seem to have taken sides in the raging crises. That journalists and security agents who are first line responders to every flash point appear locked in mutual suspicion.”

The communiqué said journalists are often times impaired and harassed by security agents from carrying out their professional responsibilities.

It also said: “Governments at all levels have a responsibility to defend, protect and provide for its citizens. Agitations for self-determination, which are raging in the Southeast, Southwest and the Southsouth regions do not augur well for the unity of the country.

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