Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi has urged Nigerian editors to continue to defend the rights of the masses in the country.
He made the call on Sunday during a courtesy visit to him by the new executive of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, NGE, led by the President, Femi Adesina.
“As editors, you constitute a part of society that speaks for the poor, the masses. You speak to make sure that things are corrected and I thank you for that,” Amaechi stated.
He lamented that the poor in the country have lost their voices and can’t speak for themselves.
“They don’t even know what to speak about because the frustration in the country has caused so much confusion. When you see the macabre dance you begin to wonder whether all of us are mad.”
Amaechi said he would continue to be on the side of the masses, stressing that he preferred a system of governance that would fairly take care of both the rich and the poor in the society.
“For me, I stand for the people and will continue to stand with people, for what is right and just. I want to be on the side of history that puts me on the side of the people and I think you also belong there,” the governor said.
Adesina commended the governor for his accomplishments and his principled position on issues, noting that Nigerian Editors we will partner with and support anybody that stands for and with the people.
“The needs of the people are not really much. They want good health care, a health care system that works, they want security, they want shelter, they want good roads, they want power, they want jobs and if you can provide most of that then you become their hero.
“We are quite glad that our first outing as a new executive is to somebody that we can describe as a friend of the Nigeria Guild of Editors – Governor Rotimi Amaechi. We recall that in 2010 we were in Port Harcourt here for our annual national conference which you kindly hosted. We still have fond memories of that meeting, ” Adesina said.
The NGE President said the Guild would build a national secretariat and provide training and retraining opportunities for journalists at institutions in and outside the country.
