The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) plans to launch Nigerian Editors Trust Fund designed to address the professional development and welfare needs of media houses and editors in Nigeria.

This was contained in a resolution at the end of the All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC), held recently in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital,

At the ANE Conference, publishers, media executives and editors harped on the urgent need to initiate strategic move that will focus on the professional/welfare needs of media houses and editors in Nigeria  as part of several efforts to help them in the discharge of their constitutional duties and social responsibility without necessarily compromising their ethical standards.

In a statement issued by the President of NGE, Mr Eze Anaba and signed by the General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the professional body said “the initiative is a response to the increasing professional/welfare challenges faced by the highest echelon of Nigerian journalists in performing their duties.

The trust fund, which is expected to be launched in the first quarters of 2024, will also address the daunting economic challenges that the media executives and editors are faced with during and after office. The fund will benefit the Guild’s members in the print, electronic and online media.

‘’It will be a collaborative effort among all the stakeholders in the media sector, including the public sector which is aimed at addressing key challenges that affect the professionals who are the ultimate gatekeepers in their media organizations.”

The Guild, at the annual conference set up a committee headed by its Vice-President (East), Mr. Sheddy Ozoene is to liaise with media stakeholders to coordinate the launching of the outfit in the first quarter of next year.

According to the statement, ‘’The trust fund will create the much-desired impact in the journalism profession in the country as the editors and media executives will be exposed to empowerment programmes and innovations in the media industry, retraining and networking opportunities with colleagues from around the world.’’

The Guild added that the trust fund, which will be managed by trustees made up of eminent personalities from within and outside the media, will be a fallback cushion for media executives and editors in critical situations, and a source of addressing their welfare needs as well as funding for key media projects that will impact Nigeria’s democracy, good governance and national development.