Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) commenced its 11th Annual Conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, on Thursday with a verdict that Nigerians expect to see improvements in all aspects of their lives from the new government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson, who hosted and declared the event open and Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo, who was the special guest of honour , unanimously called for attitudinal change from leaders and the led.
In his welcome address, the acting President, NGE, Garba Muhammad, named the qualitative improvements Nigerians want to see from the new government as better wages for workers, jobs for the unemployed and better and affordable healthcare services.
He added that individual citizens also expect to see functional education for every child and freedom to lives without restrictions except those imposed by laws and personal judgments.
He said: “As a people we want a nation that is deserving of that name in every sense of the word. We want a country that we would be proud to identify with wherever we go. We want to have a country where basic ingredients of development such as stable power supply, reliable and safe transportation system and independent judiciary are seen as our inalienable rights.
“But more than anything else, we want a country that is free from threats whether internal or external. We want to see convicing performance from our armed forces and corresponding security agencies that they are up to the task of protecting the country all times.
“The insurgency in the northeastern Nigeria is no doubt one of the biggest sources of concern for every Nigerian especially those who are directly affected by its brutal consequences.
In his remarks, Dickson advocated for a change that would lead to total diversification of the country’s economy away from oil and gas.
He said the story of the dry oil well in Oloibiri, where oil was first discovered in commercial quantity in Ogbia local government area of the state, is a sad reminder that oil and gas are wasting assets.
He also called for political tolerance, saying that politicians need to know the difference between politics and development.
He said after the election, politicians no matter their political leanings should rally round President Buhari to move the country forward.
Osibanjo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Dr. Folashade Yemi, said Nigerian media must be carried along in the efforts of the new government to move Nigeria forward.
He said: “Change occurs when we decide to take control of what we have full right over, instead of yelling control over what we don’t. There is no gainsaying that carrying the media along in our determination to move Nigeia forward is not only expected but a must do.
“The media create the most viable platform in promoting development and the media must do this through their watchdog role as well as influencing people to be agents of change, particularly in the area of attitudinal change.”
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