By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima held a meeting on Tuesday with the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) leadership, led by President Eze Anaba, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Following the meeting, Anaba, who also serves as Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, shared that the NGE briefed Shettima on the upcoming editors’ conference scheduled for November in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

According to Anaba, the discussions covered topics of national interest and highlighted the Guild’s commitment to democratic values.

When asked about the purpose of the meeting, Anaba said, “We came to brief him [Shettima] about our forthcoming conference, and also to discuss some national issues, to exchange views, and to express our commitment to democracy.”

Regarding whether their dialogue touched on press freedom in Nigeria, NGE Secretary-General Iyobosa Uwugiaren clarified that they informed the Vice President about the conference’s agenda, which includes themes such as the economy, security, energy, and the state of the media.

He noted, “We believe that the Vice President and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have a role to play, and so we came here to brief them. We want them to be part of the conversation in Yenagoa.”

Uwugiaren emphasized that the conference comes at a critical moment for the country, where continued discussion is essential to strengthen democracy and address current economic challenges. He assured that the Nigerian media remain committed to democracy and good governance, stating, “The Nigerian media are dedicated to democracy. As you know, we are not a political party; our role is to hold the government accountable.”

The conference is set to begin on November 7, with an invitation extended to leaders across the Nigerian media landscape.