News
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY: NGE Says Press freedom crucial to Democracy, good governance

· Requests NASS to initiate law against abusive, strategic lawsuits
· Salutes journalists working under harsh economic conditions
Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has reaffirmed that media freedom, freedom of expression and access to public information are crucial to democracy and must be at the heart of Nigerian government’s values and actions.
The professional body of editors and media executives in Nigeria also said that it recognizes the crucial role played by journalists, media workers and free/ independent media in protecting the country democracy and advised them not to give up, in spite of the prevailing economic challenges.
In a press statement issued on Thursday to mark this year World Press Freedom Day and signed by its President, Mr. Eze Anaba and the General Secretary, Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the Guild also requested the National Assembly to initiate and adopt a law to protect journalists, who speak out on matters of public interest, especially against abusive and strategic lawsuits, which are regularly initiated to silence them.
This year, the World Press Freedom Day, is dedicated to emphasizing the importance of good journalism amidst the current global environmental crisis.
World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on May 3rd. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, this day helps to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom throughout the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The day also acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It highlights the importance of a free, independent, and pluralistic media in fostering transparency, accountability and democracy.
‘’In line with the theme of this year celebration, we believe that journalism and freedom of expression are crucial in the context of the current global environmental crisis.
‘’Journalism and freedom of expression help in raising public awareness about environmental issues; holding power accountable; amplifying marginalized voices; promoting transparency and accountability; fostering public debate/engagement, and providing a platform for solutions’’, the editors added.
More importantly, the NGE added that this year’s World Press Freedom Day provides an opportunity for every stakeholder in the media community to continue to drum it to the hearing of both state and non-state actors – about the importance of press freedom and the challenges being faced by journalists, including censorship, harassment, imprisonment and violence. And the urgent need by the government to take deliberate and sustained action to promote press freedom and good journalism in the country.
According to the editors, ‘’The federal government will fundamentally be promoting the enabling environment for media to operate responsibly if it adopts a law to protect persons who speak out on matters of public interest against abusive lawsuits meant to silence them.
‘’The federal government should take a clue from the European Union and other democracies around the world, who have adopted similar laws to protect journalists and media houses against Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP suit).
‘’More so, there are still many obnoxious and anti-media laws in our statutory books that are targeted at journalists and media houses. The National Assembly (NASS) must take immediate step to repeal them.’’
The NGE also urged government at all levels, international organizations and civil society organization to protect and promote press freedom; ensure safety and security for journalists/media houses; and ensure that all restrictive laws and policies targeted at the media are repealed.
The NGE added, ‘’We celebrate the courageousness and commitment of journalists across the country, who continue to risk everything to bring us the truth and reliable/credible information. We also acknowledge the growing threats to press freedom – from violence and censorship to disinformation and economic pressures.
‘’We pay tribute to the journalists who have lost their lives or faced persecution, and we stand in solidarity with those under threat or attack and those who continue to work under very harsh economic conditions.’’
The editors said that they will continue to advocate for press freedom, freedom of expression and access to information, adding that they are crucial to good governance, democratic societies and fundamental human rights.

Aged 94, Aminu Dantata died in Abu Dhabi at 3.ooam today (Saturday, June 28).
Dantata was a Kano-based business mogul and philanthropist.
The Principal Private Secretary, PPS, to the deceased, Mustapha Junaid, confirmed the demise in a post on his Facebook handle.
Junaid wrote, “Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun. Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun.
It is with heavy heart that I announce the passing of our beloved father Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata.
“May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus and forgive his shortcomings.
“The Janazah (funeral) details will be shared later insha Allah.”
News
LASG reopens Abbatoir at Oko-Oba
The announcement was made by the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab in a statement he personally signed.

image credit : arisetv
Lagos State Government on Friday night directed the immediate re-opening of the Abbatoir at Oko-Oba following the fulflment of sanitation and hygienic prescriptions by the operators.
The announcement was made by the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab in a statement he personally signed.
Mr Wahab said that the operators have substantially complied with the minimum benchmark for the operations of abbatoirs in the state which was flagrantly flouted necessitating the closure.
He informed that part of the conditions for the reopening is that on a monthly basis, the ministry of the Environment and Water Resources officials will conduct a periodic inspection of the facilities at the Abbatoir.
He urged the operators to avoid unsanitary activities, waste mismanagement and unhygienic handling of animal products as they conduct their businesses.
It will be recalled that the Oko-Oba Abbatoir was shut by the State Government on June 20 following an inspection by top State officials which discovered a flagrant disregard of the laws guiding safe operations of abbatoirs in the state.
SignedKunle AdeshinaDirector (Public Affairs)June 27, 2025
News
Again, Vanguard’s Editor, Eze Anaba Emerges NGE President
The Managing Director of The Sun newspaper, Onuoha Ukoh, clinched the position of General -Secretary .

Anaba, who was the incumbent, was returned unopposed, a development attributed to his widely acknowledged record of administrative excellence.
THE Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) on Friday reelected Mr Eze Anaba – the Editor of the Vanguard newspaper, as the President, during their ongoing Biennial National Convention in Enugu.
Anaba, who was the incumbent, was returned unopposed, a development attributed to his widely acknowledged record of administrative excellence.
The Managing Director of The Sun newspaper, Onuoha Ukoh, clinched the position of General -Secretary .
Other elected officers include:
Deputy President: Sabastine Abu
Vice President, West: Karbi Alabi
Vice Presidents: Hamza Idris and Sheddy Ozoene
Treasurer: Iyobosa Uwugiaren
Assistant Secretary: Gabriel Fulajimi Akinadewo
Publicity Secretary: Charles Kalu
Earlier , the Chairman of Channels Media Group, Dr. John Momoh had said that there can be no security without justice, and no unity without progress.
Momoh, who was Chairman of the Convention said that there can be no progress within inclusion.
He pointed out that insecurity has reared its head in many of Nigeria’s regions, while the country had witnessed divisions across ethnic and religious limes, while economic hardship and rising frustrations have made the citizens ask tough questions about Nigeria’s future.
Momoh enjoined the media not only to report conflict, but to also spotlight solutions. “Let’s promote understanding. Let’s be bridge-builders’, he said.
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