The Nigerian Guild of Editors has expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for the recent appointments of its Fellows as Chief Executive Officers of information-related parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga (FNGE) and Mr. Ishaq Modibo Kawu (FNGE), both Fellows of the Guild, were recently appointed Managing Director and Director-General, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) respectively.

Other appointees are Yakubu Mohammed, Director-General, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mansur Liman, Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mr Osita Okechukwu, Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON) and Dr. Garba Abari, Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA).

In a release signed by its General-Secretary, Victoria Ibanga, the Guild described the appointments as a plus to the media industry and Nigeria as a whole, considering the various contributions the Press has made to national development.

“It is very auspicious to express our joy that President Muhammadu Buhari has deemed it fit to choose thorough-bred, distinguished, and dutiful professionals with notable pedigree to head its information-related parastatals”.

The Guild thanked President Buhari for the recognition accorded the prestigious organisation which has been demonstrated by the appointments of many of its members to serve in the present government.

“It is a thing of joy that our Fellows and members are being recognised in their chosen field through these appointments. We thank the President for this recognition. He has done very well in this regard and has accorded the Fourth Estate of the Realm its due respect in the scheme of things.’’

The Guild challenged the new Chief Executives to bring their wealth of experiences to bear on their new jobs and make a difference in enhancing the well-being of the organisations and its work force.

Your appointment, to the best of our understanding, is not based on your political affiliation or linkages but, a result of your known and recognised contributions to the development of Nigeria as a whole through the use of your media space. This, to us in the NGE, is a testimony that our contributions as media professionals are being recognised and appreciated.

We congratulate and urge you, therefore, to undertake the journey with a high sense of responsibility and ensure improvement of the welfare of your workers.”