Buhari to Editors: Partner Fed Govt in fight against fake news

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday called on the newly elected officers of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) to partner his administration in the fight against fake news.

Buhari’s appeal is contained in a congratulatory message he sent to the re-elected President of the Guild, Mustapha Isa.

Isa polled 176 votes to beat Victoria Ibanga in the election described by the President as rancour-free. Ibanga   scored 54 votes.

Ali. M. Ali was returned unopposed as deputy president.

The other elected officials of the body are Bolaji Adebiyi of Thisday (Vice-President, Southwest); Sam Egbala (Vice-President, Southeast), and Kila Habibu Nuhu (Vice-President, North).

The post of General Secretary was won by Iyobosa Uwagiaren. Austeen Elewodalu emerged as the assistant general secretary. Elewodalu had 126 votes against  Rose Moses’ 82.

A former Deputy Managing Directo of The Sun, Steve Nwosu, was elected treasurer while  Eze Anaba of Vanguard won as social/publicity secretary.

The Standing Committee (West) has Gabriel Akinadewo, Onuoha Ukeh,  Wole Shogunle and Abimbola Tooki  as members. Three more officials are required to complete the committee’s membership.

North’s standing committee comprises Umoru Ibrahim, Gbenga Adesina and Imoni Amarere as members. Two more persons are needed to complete its membership.

Members of the  Standing Committee (East) are Ngwoke Ngwoke and Boma Nwuke.

The election was held during the Guild’s biennial meeting at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano.

The Nation‘s Editor Adeniyi Adesina and Weekend Editor Festus Eriye were among the participants.

President Buhari said in the congratulatory  letter that with the “unanimous acceptance of the outcome’’ of the election, the Guild  had set a good standard for other unions to copy.

He added in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu,  that the media and government can work harmoniously to ”build a strong, safe, secure and inclusive Nigeria.”

The statement reads: “President Buhari congratulates Mustapha Isa, the president of the NGE, who won a second-term of office in the just concluded convention of the Guild in Kano.

“In expressing good wishes for his new tenure, President Buhari also congratulates those who emerged as members of the Standing Committee, both the re-elected and the ones who won fresh seats.

“The President commends the rancour-free conduct of the elections and the unanimous acceptance of the outcome, saying this has set a good standard for other unions to copy.”

“President Buhari calls on the newly-elected executive to join his administration in the efforts to rid the country of fake news and to avoid negativism, advising the media to abstain from content that is against the maintenance of law and order and the sustenance of National security.”