By Tunde Sanni, Thisday Newspapers.
The Deputy Managing Director of Sun newspapers, Femi Adesina last Friday got the mandate to lead the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) for the next two years.
Adesina polled 149 votes to defeat his lone challenger, Tukur AbdulRahman of the New Nigerian Newspapers.
In his post election remark, Adesina dedicated his victory to his colleagues and saluted them for breaking away from primordial tribal and religious sentiments as reflected in the pattern of voting.
Earlier at the formal opening of convention, the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi advised media practitioners in the country to inaugurate a media conference so as to chat the way forward on operation of new media and modern way of practice.
He remarked that it was necessary in view of the global influence and popularity of social media.
He said “online journalism is the new way and it guarantees availability and it is easier to engage in. However, this is a threat to hard copy newspaper publication.
“There is need for journalists to call a conference. If politicians can call for political conference why can’t the media champion a reform in the light of the growing popularity and abuse of social media?”
He lamented that online publication posed fresh challenges to journalism as non-professionals have infiltrated the platform.
The governor said, “with online or internet publications, people that should ordinarily not be there are coming in everyday. Availability of news online has affected the fortune of newspapers.”
Earlier in his speech on the occasion, outgoing President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, said, “four years ago, we traversed the entire country like politicians, seeking your mandate, making promises to improve the profile of the NGE and not put you to shame.
“We successfully re-focused the editors on national issues through our flagship, all Nigerian Editors Conference. We built a virtual office and reviewed outstanding reports on our constitution.”
Adefaye said that the present funding, through the N10,000 membership fees, conference fees and donations, were inadequate.
