MAY 29: MEDIA HONOR FOR PRESS IN NIGERIA’S PRESIDENCY!
US Media Group Reporters Beyond Borders Issue Communique, Hails Femi Adesina’s Appointment as Media Adviser…Nigerian–American Press Association Endorse ex-SUN Newspaper MD’s Journalistic Expertise
*“Journalists’ protection is guaranteed, freedom of the press to be respected”–Marc Silas, NAPA
*PLUS: International Community closely monitoring transition to new administration
BY GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU, iReport NORTH AMERICA & EDIITOR-IN-CHIEF, NAIJA STANDARD
RISING from a four-hour think-tank meeting in Houston, Texas, United States, the executive arm of Reporters Beyond Borders, an American based media-pressure group in conjunction with Nigerian-American Press Association, NAPA, jointly issued a communique endorsing the appointment of Femi Adesina, President of Nigeria’s Guild of Editors’ as Senior Special Adviser, SSA to in-coming administration of Presidect-elect, Muhammadu Buhari which takes immediate effect on May 29, 2015.
The very unassuming and re-elected President of Nigeria’s Guild of Editors’, NGE, is known all over Africa’s most population nation as a forthright journalist, who firmly walks the ethics of journalism without breaking the rules. Femi’s leadership in NGE has brought direction majorly to editorial opinions, feature writings, high-level ethical practice, more fluidity and understanding between the ‘Men of the Fourth Estate of the Realm’ and public office holders.
iReport can tell you that Femi’s tenure in NGE brought rising accountability, probity, checks and stewardship to governance in Nigeria, while issues affecting Nigeria’s journalists welfare were constantly look into.
Several journalists in the country have taken to social media to pour encomiums on this Editor-In-Chief/Managing Director of Nigeria’s King of Tabloid-SUN Newspapers, a media platform where he rose through the editorial ranks by dint of hardwork from been Sunday Editor, Deputy Editor-In-Chief to his present status before his new media appointment by Buhari.
According to this communique issued and signed by Samson Shoaga, Executive Secretary, Reporters Beyond Borders, it reads: “We fully support the decision of Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s in-coming president to have appointed Femi Adesina, a thoroughbred media professional, NGE president, who doubles as Editor-In-Chief/MD of SUN Newspapers as his Senior Special Adviser, SSA on Media in the presidency.
“We strongly believe that Femi’s undiluted media expertise will rub off on Buhari’s administration, since we now know his government will be media-friendly due to the democratic track-record of this versatile. By this appointment, we are certain the good performance of his administration will be exposed positively to members of the public.”
Making an additional comment, Marc Silas, Publicity Secretary of NAPA said “Nigeria’s President elect, Muhammadu Buhari appointment of Femi Adesina in the presidency from May 29, is having a round peg in round hole. Based on the antecedents of Femi, we know journalists under this administration will be protected and freedom of expression will be allowed freely”.
International Community closely monitoring transition to new administration
Investigation by iReport showed that members of the international community are closely monitoring the transition of out-going government of President Goodluck Jonathan to in-coming administration of Buhari to ensuring the process is smooth-transition devoid of any bottleneck.
