THISDAY Editor Emerges NGE’s VP, Isa Retains Presidency

•Nation’s Capital Editor is general secretary
•Buhari congratulates new leadership

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) on Monday night re-elected Mr. Mustapha Isa to oversee the affairs of the guild for the next two years, just as the Editor of THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi was elected the vice president of the body for the West.

Isa trounced the outgoing Secretary, Victoria Ibanga, by securing 176 votes against his main challenger’s 54 votes.

Announcing the results of the keenly contested elections, the Chairman of the Screening and Election Committee, Mr. Bonnie Iwuoha, said Mr. Ali M. Ali, was returned unopposed as the deputy president, while Kila Habibu Nuhu, was also elected unopposed as vice president (North).

The Nation’s capital Editor of THISDAY, Mr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, also emerged unopposed as general secretary.

The final results also showed that Samuel Egbala was elected vice president (East) after he secured 132 votes against a distant runner up, Mr. Sheddy Ozoene, who polled 88 votes
Adebiyi defeated the outgoing Social/Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ken Ugbechie, by polling 132 votes against his challenger’s 80 votes to emerge as the vice president (West).

Mr. Austeen Elewodalu was elected as Assistant General Secretary with 126 votes against Rose Moses, who polled 82 votes.

Steve Nwosu pummelled all his opponents with 150 votes to emerge as treasurer. Catherine Agbo secured 51 votes, while Juliet Njiowhor got 26 votes .

Vanguard Newspaper’s Editor, Mr. Eze Anaba polled 164 votes to trounce his sole challenger for the position of Social/Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chooks Oko, who scored to 53 votes.

The Standing Committee members that were elected at the biennial conference included Gabriel Akinadewo, 174 votes; Onuoha Ukeh, 174 vote; and Wole Sogunle, 172 votes all emerged as winners for the West.

Umoru Ibrahim led the pack of North’s Standing Committee members with 202 votes; Adesina Gbenga 113, votes; while Imoni Amarere failed to make the list with 99 votes.

Ngwoke Ngwoke and Boma Nwuke were returned unopposed, respectively as Standing Committee members (East).

Buhari Congratulates New NGE Leadership

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Isa for winning a second-term of office in the just-concluded NGE convention.

The president, in a statement by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, urged the new leadership of the NGE to join hands with his administration in ridding the nation of fake news and negativity.

Buhari also congratulated those who emerged as members of the Standing Committee, both the re-elected and the ones who won fresh seats.

He commended 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.

He also urged the media to abstain from content that is against the maintenance of law and order and the sustenance of national security.

In calling for partnership between the NGE leadership and his administration, the president said the media and the government working together ”can, and will build a strong, safe, secure and inclusive Nigeria.”