SPEECH OF NGE PRESIDENT AT INAUGURATION OF CONSTITUTION REVIEW COMMITTEE
PROTOCOLS
It is with great joy that I welcome all of you to the formal inauguration of the Constitution Review Committee.
On behalf of the Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, I thank you for accepting to serve in this Committee in spite of ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.
The Standing Committee chose you to be part of this noble assignment because of your knowledge, experience and commitment to the growth and development of the Guild.
The members of the committee are:
1. Mr. Ray Ekpu, fnge – – Chairman
2. Mrs. Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo, fnge – Member
3. Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, fnge – Member
4. Mr. Bonnie Iwuoha, fnge – Member
5. Mr. Tony Akiotu, fnge – Member
6. Baba Dantiye, mni, fnge – Member
7. Mr. Akpandem James, fnge – Member
8. Mr. Felix Nwadioha – Secretary
At this point, let me give a brief background to what we are doing here today. At the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference held in November, 2019, in Sokoto, the house passed a resolution mandating the Standing Committee to embark on another review of our constitution. So, we are duty bound to execute that mandate.
Some may ask, why another review when the current constitution was just adopted in 2017?
Our members won’t forget in a hurry what transpired at the biennial convention held here in Lagos in 2019.
A major crisis was averted over the disqualification of some candidates based on the provision of amended constitution on eligibility of contestants. The wisdom of our elders led by our well-respected Fellow and chairman of this CRC, Mr Ray Ekpu, saved the day.
It was ironic that some of the bitter opponents of that eligibility clauses participated actively in the constitution review. Maybe they didn’t realize the implication of the provision.
The Standing Committee specifically chose you to give us a document that will strengthen the Guild, enhance its unity and empower it to meet the needs and aspirations of its members.
The major areas of interest to the Standing Committee are qualification for membership and eligibility for elective positions.
The current constitution classifies us into Associate and Full members. Should a voluntary association of editors have such a dichotomy? Is it right to classify some Fellows of our Guild as Associate members? Is it right for an editor who is a full member today to turn to an associate member tomorrow? What should be the minimum qualification to be admitted as a member of the Guild? Should we limit it to title editors and news directors only? What about the online media? Who should be eligible to apply for membership? In the publicly- owned media houses and news agencies, should we admit assistant directors aside directors and deputy director
We want this honourable committee to make recommendations in resolving these critical questions.
On elections, should all members be eligible to contest for all positions? Should elective positions be reserved only for current title editors, directors, deputy directors and controllers of news? If yes, what about the position Deputy President? Should a member be eligible to contest without first holding any Standing Committee position considering the fact that he may assume the position of President in the event of the resignation or death of the substantive President?
The Standing Committee wants this honourable CRC member to look at all other provisions of our current constitution, including those relating to financing, with a view to making recommendations to strengthen the Guild and ensure its financial stability.
I assure you that the Standing Committee will expeditiously consider your report when received.
Feel free to contact the Standing Committee through the General Secretary for any need to facilitate your job.
Please, stay safe as you embark on your noble assignment.
On a lighter note, I observe that, all eight members of CRC, are Fellows, except the Secretary who is a lawyer and a journalist.
So, let the secretary take journalistic and legal notes as you embark on your fellowship, sorry, your assignment.
I, hereby, inaugurate this Constitution Review Committee and I wish you robust and fruitful deliberations.
Mustapha Isah,
President.
