Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has challenged the government and the media to prioritize truth and accountability in their interactions. On Thursday, he welcomed over 300 editors to the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) in Enugu, emphasizing the need for a collaborative relationship between the two institutions. Mbah noted that government and the media have different responsibilities but share a common obligation to serve the Nigerian people.
The conference, organized by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), has the theme “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” with a sub-theme focusing on detecting and debunking AI misinformation during elections. Mbah stressed that government must be transparent about its actions and accountable for its results, while the press must independently scrutinize those actions and report the truth.
Mbah urged journalists to deepen investigative reporting, particularly in the face of artificial intelligence and other technologies that make it difficult to distinguish between genuine and fabricated information. He warned that AI can be used to fabricate photographs, clone voices, and manipulate videos, increasing the responsibility of professional journalists to verify information.
The governor emphasized that rigorous journalism should involve examining evidence, testing competing claims, and establishing what happened, rather than searching for evidence to support a preconceived position. He added that government achievements should not be ignored simply because they do not fit a particular political narrative.
Mbah highlighted some of his administration’s projects, including over 1,500 kilometers of roads constructed or reconstructed, 7,000 classrooms, Smart Green Schools, and Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state’s 260 wards. He also listed interventions in water infrastructure, transport terminals, CNG buses, and the development of a new city.
The governor expressed his ambition to position Enugu as an economic gateway to the South-East, making the state one of Nigeria’s leading economies and a national leader in human development and quality of life. He acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government in areas such as roads, aviation, energy, and regional development.
During the opening ceremony, Governor Mbah received a plaque for good governance from the Nigerian Guild of Editors. He urged the editors to independently assess the developments in Enugu, encouraging them to explore the city, speak to its residents, and get a sense of the state’s direction.
Key points
- Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, calls for a collaborative relationship between government and the media to prioritize truth and accountability.
- Mbah emphasizes the need for fact-based reporting and rigorous journalism in the face of AI misinformation.
- The governor highlights his administration’s projects and ambitions for Enugu’s economic development and growth.
