PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS AT THE 2021 CONVENTION. (BUSINESS SESSION)

I once again welcome you to the 2021 convention in Kano which is being held in accordance with the provisions of our constitution.

You will recall that I was confirmed as substantive President of the Guild at the All Nigeria Editors’Conference, ANEC, held in Sokoto in November, 2019.

The year 2020 was a very difficult one for the Guild. The COVID-19 pandemic affected virtually everything. It significantly impacted on our finances in the sense that we couldn’t embark on revenue- generating programmes.

But the good thing is that due to prudent management of resources, we were able to meet all our financial obligations.

Right from the day I assumed office, I made it categorically clear that our money in a fixed deposit account won’t be spent. We didn’t touch it.  From N50m, it has grown to over N65m.

The Treasurer will refer to all this in her report.

CONSTITUTION

A resolution was adopted at the ANEC in Sokoto mandating the Standing Committee to embark on another review   of our constitution.

Despite the crisis crested by COVID-19 , we still managed to achieve this feat.

I must commend the members of the Constitution Review Committee led by a distinguished Fellow of the Guild , Mr Ray Ekpu.

Other members of the CRC include,

Mr Gbenga Adefaye– Fnge

Mallam Baba Dantiye– Fnge

Mr Bonnie Iwuoha– Fnge

Mr Tony Akiotu– Fnge

Mrs Dupe Ajayi- Gbadebo– Fnge

Mr Akpandem James– Fnge

Mr Felix Nwadioha , who served as Secretary to the Committee.

The Standing Committee was hopeful that the pandemic would subside to enable us hold a physical ANEC later in 2020 to adopt the new constitution, but unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.

However, in March this year, based on the advice given by Electoral Committee, the Standing wrote to members to seek their mandate to hold a virtual conference to adopt the new constitution. An overwhelming majority of those who responded supported the move.

Today, we have a new constitution and we hope to hold a peaceful election based on its provisions. 

GUZAPE LAND

Our plot of land in Guzape, the Federal Capital Territory is still there. Nothing concrete has really happened there. But I can report to members that we have finished paying for Certificate of Occupancy, C of O. The FCT officials  gave us a bill of N30m for the C of O. My predecessor paid N20m out of that money when the FCT Minister said he won’t grant the Guild any waiver. The Standing Committee led by me paid the balance of N10m and other charges like ground rent.  So, we have fully paid and the C of O is being processed right now.  The Treasurer may have one or two things to say about it.

When we obtain the C of O, which will a clear evidence of our ownership of the land, we will be in a position to deal with those encroaching on the land, especially one Mama Karu..

VIRTUAL ANEC

Article 6 of our constitution names the All Nigeria Editors Conference , ANEC , as one of the organs of the Guild. That means it is mandatory to hold it annually. The 2020 ANEC was held virtually in view of the restrictions on public gatherings due to COVID-19.

More than 80 people joined the conference . This figure was higher than what the Standing Committee expected.

OUR WEBSITE

We hired a web designer to upgrade our website to make it more user friendly. It is now very easy to navigate
The speed is quite better now because the web designer   migrated us from Whogohost to a more stable domain.
There is a feature that will make it possible for   money to be paid to the Guild’s bank account from the site, though we have to activate it.

There is also a provision for the uploading of names of all members to the website.

DEATHS

You heard in my speech at the opening ceremony that the Guild recorded numerous deaths during the period under review.

The Standing Committee members based in Lagos paid condolence visits to the families of our former Presidents, Alhaji  Lateef Jakande and Prince Tony Momoh.

I led two former Presidents of the Guild, Malam Baba Dantiye and Mr Gbenga Adefaye as well as some other members based in Abuja , including Mr Azu Isekhuene and Malam Yusuf Ali to commiserate with the families of our former President, Malam Wada Maida and Malam Ismaila Isa Funtua in Abuja.