The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has declared that Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, will host the organization’s 2024 Annual Conference on November 7–9, 2024. The NGE President, Mr. Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, announced on Monday that Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY/Arise Media Group, will chair the event. Alhaji Kashim Shettima, the vice president of Nigeria, will formally begin the conference.

Chief Segun Osoba, a former governor of Ogun State, and Uncle Sam Amuka, the founder of Vanguard Media Group, will be the Fathers of the Day, with Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri serving as Chief Host.

The NGE emphasised that major reforms, such as the elimination of petrol subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange markets, have been carried out by the present government, which came into power in May 2023. But in spite of these initiatives, the nation still faces serious economic problems, such as high rates of poverty, unemployment, and inflation. Nigeria is the nation with the seventh-lowest global human capital index, and a large number of its residents are emigrating in quest of better prospects. About 88 million Nigerians are thought to fall below the poverty line, making up the country’s estimated 40% poverty rate.

The necessity of an all-encompassing set of measures to solve both immediate and long-term economic concerns was highlighted by the NGE. The media industry’s sustainability will also be a major topic of discussion during the conference, and participants are urged to come up with plans to guarantee equitable payment for intellectual property and a variety of income sources.

Prominent specialists from several industries, including energy, security, finance, Big Tech, and media, have been invited to offer their perspectives and suggest remedies for these urgent problems. In order to support economic growth and media sustainability, the NGE seeks to encourage discussion and cooperation between leaders in the sector.