The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) over the weekend donated one million naira to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos, in line with its statutory responsibility to the institution, as a member of the board.
Presenting the cheque to the Provost of the Institute, Gbemiga Ogunleye, NGE Vice President (West), Steve Ayorinde, who led the delegation, commended the management of the institution for its efforts towards promoting the ideals of journalism.
Mr. Ayorinde said the gesture was in response to the appeal made by the management of the Institute for assistance and approved by the Standing Committee of the NGE, adding that the association would have loved to do better but for other competing commitments such as the recent purchase of a befitting Editors’ House in Lagos and acquisition of a land in Abuja for the proposed Editors’ Plaza.
He also stated that the leadership of NGE was in transition with the Guild’s Deputy President, Mr. Garba Deen Mohammed, currently acting as the President, saying it has become necessary to call for an extraordinary convention to fill the gap created by the appointment of Mr. Femi Adesina as Special Adviser on Media to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Ogunleye who recently took over the mantle of leadership of the institution, said NIJ was currently embarking on upgrading of its infrastructural and technological facilities to meet the demands of the National Board for technical Education (NBTE), the regulatory body for technical education as well as training and re-training of teachers.
He said the Institute was facing some financial challenges as a non-profit institution and sourcing for funds from corporate organisations, philanthropists to meet its objectives and aspirations became inevitable to provide excellent training for its students.
He commended NGE for its kind gesture and implored other organisations and well-meaning individuals to emulate it, as it would “encourage academic and professional excellence in media practice, the development of the Nigeria media industry, and by extension, a better Nigerian society.”
Also present at the presentation were NGE General Secretary, Victoria Ibanga; Social/Publicity secretary, Funke Egbemode; Assistant General secretary, Mary Atolagbe; Member, Standing Committee, Ken Ugbechie, and Administrative Secretary, Toye Olori.
From the NIJ were Deputy Provost, Jide Johnson; Ag. HOD, General Studies, Mauren Popoola, and Students Affairs Officer, Patricia Kalesanwo, among others.
