The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has distanced itself from a group identified as the “North-West Guild of Editors,” stating that no such body exists within the professional journalism community in Nigeria.
In a reaction to a report circulating online, the President of the Guild, Eze Anaba, said the only recognised professional association for editors in the country is the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
The clarification followed an online publication on Monday which attributed a statement to a group called the “North West Guild of Editors (NWGOE)” in response to alleged claims by the Chairman of the Senate Public Accounts Committee, Ahmed Wadada, regarding an alleged ₦210 trillion discrepancy in the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Reacting to the report, Anaba warned that the purported group is not recognised by the Guild and should not be mistaken for a legitimate professional body representing editors in Nigeria.
According to him, the only recognised guild remains the Nigerian Guild of Editors, which he currently leads as president, with Onuoha Ukoh serving as General Secretary.
He noted that other members of the Guild’s national leadership include Deputy President Sabastine Abu; Vice President (West) Karbi Alabi; Vice Presidents Hamza Idris and Sheddy Ozoene; Treasurer Iyobosa Uwugiaren; and Assistant Secretary Gabriel Fulajimi Akinadewo.
The Guild cautioned media organisations and the public against recognising or publishing statements attributed to the purported North-West Guild of Editors, describing such reports as misleading and malicious.