By Our Correspondent
As the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) prepares for its biennial national convention in 2023, its Standing Committee on Saturday inaugurated a screening and election sub-committee at the Guild’s secrtariat in Lagos.
President of the Guild, Mustapha Isah, tasked the sub-committee in his speech at the ocassion to ensure that the 2023 election is fair and credible.“I welcome all of you to this brief,but important event this morning, which is the formal inauguration of the the Screening and Election sub- committee ahead of the Biennial National Convention, which is expected to take place in June, 2023”, he said to the sub-committe members.
Members of the sub-committee are:
1. Maimuna Garba– Chairman
2. Isaac Ighure, FNGE, — Member
3. Mary Atolagbe– Member
4. Felix Nwadioha — Secretary
5. Yusuf Abdulsalam— Member
He said the sub-committee was instituted in line with the Article 8 (1) of the Guild’s constitution.
“You were carefully selected by the Standing Committee because of your track records and experiences. Two of you: Isaac Ighure and Mary Atolagbe, occupied the position of General Secretary of the Guild at one time or the other.
“The chairman of this sub- committee, Maimuna Garba and Secretary, Felix Nwadioha, had previously served in this committee.
“To crown it all: two of the members, Felix Nwadioha and Yusuf Absulsalam, are qualified lawyers.
“The Standing Committee of the Guild has implicit confidence in all of you, and it is our belief that you won’t fail in you duty to conduct free, fair and credible election. You should show Nigerians how to conduct transparent acceptable elections.
“In carrying out your responsibilities of conducting the election generally, please, apply all the relevant laws in our constitution in determining who is eligible to vote and be voted for.
“Our constitution clearly states that this sub- committee shall be independent of the Standing Committee. So, the exco , led by me, will not interfere in your job.
“The only thing the EXCO owes you is the provision of logistics to enable you carry out your duties efficiently and effectively.
“In this regards, the chairman of this sub- committee is free to contact me or the General Secretary in case you need anything. The Admin Officer shall be available whenever you meet to render assistance.
“From now on, anything concerning the forthcoming elections shall emanate from you”, he said.
