Ex-Editor Calls Out Guild Of Editors, Reform Now Or…

In a series of Facebook posts, Gbenga alleged that the guild was not transparent and not inclusive enough as the South South and South East have been sidelined from the leadership of the NGE.

In a post, he asked: “what do you call an association in which the leadership is under no obligation to render account to members? A GUILD?”

In another Facebook update, Gbenga posted: “If gold doth rust, what would iron do? That is food for thought for the Guild of Editors in the approach to the convention.”

The NGE is expected to hold its national convention sometime in Lagos this year.

In another poser, he asked; “what professional issue affecting media practice has the guild of Editors addressed in the past two years? I’m listening.”

Worried by his post, a member of the guild, Raheem Adedoyin, reacted: “I’m yet to understand what the grouses are. It started with the Guild leadership being exclusive of south-south and north east (which is not correct.) Now, we are talking about the guild lacking in integrity without giving any specific instances. I’m a member of the guild, I was in its exco 1998-2000 and I still participate in its activities. The quality of attendance of the guild convention and conferences in Asaba, Yenagoa and Port Harcourt (all of which I attended as you, my respected senior, did) was not disappointing.

“I had some misgivings about the guild which I discussed with Mr. Richard Akinola in Yenogoa in 2015 and we got the leadership to make corrections. I think as elders, that’s the way to go. If however, there are particular people in the leadership we have proof have betrayed/ are betraying the core principles of the guild, Lagos 2017 provides an opportunity to unmask and throw them away. I urge caution in our demonization of the entire guild in the public domain.”

In his response, Gbenga said: “How can you in good conscience tell me that it is not correct that the guild leadership has excluded some sections of this country in the past 20 years or so. Tell me anyone from Remi Oyo to Garba Shehu etc who has come from the SE/ SS. If that does not bother you, it bothers me. A system of cronyism seems to me to have taken firm root in the guild leadership which unfortunately emasculated some sections of the country.

“I also asked when last accounts have been rendered by the guild leadership. I have had no one answer that. Point is circumstances made me unable to be fully involved in guild activities for a long time. Now, since it seems you have even been involved at leadership positions, you might be able to answer that.

“There is no need naming those who qualify as members who I have not seen in any of the guild functions. Sure if you were to advert your mind to it you would find that I speak fact.

“I do not know what misgivings you had that were immediately corrected.

“But what has happened to the painstaking work on constitutional amendment that the Richard Akinola committee was charged with? Who and what has been stonewalling its presentation and adoption.
“It is unfortunate if my desire to have a better run guild comes across in part as demonizing it.

“I however feel the system is rigged and continues to be rigged to favour some and disadvantage others.

“The guild is a professional body and not a political party.”

He further warned that “the failure to put up a semblance of credible governance at any other higher level is no excuse at all to canvass a mediocre leadership for a body like the guild.

“The media is supposed to be the watchdog of society generally, it is supposed to hold our leaders accountable.

“Now, if the leadership of the Guild, supposedly an association of the leading lights in the media called editors is morally bankrupt, how can it perform its role?

“If the leadership of the Guild suffers an integrity deficit, what is its usefulness?

“In other words what is the essence of a tiger without tigretude?

“Good, but we can’t fold our arms or throw them up in the air and allow the bastardization of the profession to continue unchallenged!!

“That is the more reason why people of good conscience must speak up.

“Yeah, the evil forces are well entrenched, are formidable and vicious, but they must be challenged and exposed if they continue to be obdurate.”

Mrs. Funke Egbemode is the president of the NGE. She became acting president in January, 2016 when Femi Adesina was appointed presidential spokesperson, and was confirmed August that year.