Benin – (NAN)  No fewer than 300 Nigerian editors from the print and electronic media converged in Benin on Thursday to refocus the nation’s  media for social consciousness and relevance.

The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr Gbenga Adefaye, said in his welcome remarks that the conference was unique because the guild had been able to demonstrate resilience and continuity for a good idea.

The theme of the conference “Deepening Our Democracy: The Role of the Editor’’, he said, was apt in an era when the nation was advancing the cause of “one man, one vote’’.

He said that Nigerian editors had a great role to play in the promotion of democratic principles, especially in ensuring the sanctity of votes.

Adefaye said Nigeria had won a great battle in the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.

“What the FOI law seeks is an open and accountable society where there are sound policies and great institutions.

“For us as editors, perhaps we need to apply more vigour as we seek to understand the facts behind the figures in the cost of governance of the republic.

“Continuous engagement by all is most desirable in a democracy like ours where institutions of state are weak,’’ Adefaye said.

The three-day conference is billed to discuss several themes dwelling on the nation’s democratic experience.  (NAN)