Governor Douye Diri Calls for Responsible Resource Management at All Nigeria Editors Conference In Yenagoa

IN an impassioned address to editors and journalists from across the country, Bayelsa State Governor, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri, welcomed attendees of the All-Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC), which convened on Thursday at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa. The event, organised by the Nigeria Guild of Editors, brought together leaders in journalism to discuss the role of the media in democratic governance and sustainable development.

Governor Diri emphasised the critical role of the press in supporting Nigeria’s democracy, calling it the “fourth pillar” that educates, informs, and promotes unity amidst diverse ethnic and regional interests. “In these turbulent times around our nation and the world at large, your role as guardians of truth is more critical than ever,” he told the gathering.

The Governor applauded the conference’s theme, “Economic Growth and Development Strategies in Resource-Rich Country,” noting its timeliness given Nigeria’s untapped potential and widespread poverty. Using Bayelsa State as an example, Diri detailed the paradox of resource abundance yet prevalent hardship due to longstanding environmental degradation and economic neglect.

“We face severe environmental challenges and economic hardship. For long, we have been ignored, our stories dismissed, and our rights trampled,” he said. He also highlighted recent actions aimed at addressing these concerns, including a report by the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission. The report, Diri revealed, exposes Bayelsa’s staggering 25% share of Nigeria’s oil and gas pollution, along with the minimal compensation received, which has compounded the state’s environmental and health crises.

Governor Diri also reflected on a lecture he delivered at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, advocating for greater state control over local resources. “States should not merely have rights to surface land while the federal government monopolizes valuable underground resources,” he argued, referencing the limited fiscal autonomy of states within Nigeria’s federal structure.

The Governor stated that his recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu underscored the urgency of Bayelsa’s environmental and economic grievances and praised the President’s receptiveness, calling it a “significant step” toward justice for Bayelsa’s affected communities. He invoked Martin Luther King Jr., stating, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” and urged editors to use their influence to spotlight these issues, which he said, “directly affect people’s lives.”

Diri also took the opportunity to share his administration’s progress, citing major projects like the Three Senatorial Roads, which connect coastal communities to the Atlantic and support the Blue Economy. The Governor highlighted his government’s “ASSURED” agenda, a seven-pillar strategy focusing on agricultural development, energy generation, education, and healthcare, among others.

In a closing appeal, Diri addressed the financial challenges threatening press independence, urging editors to seek sustainable financing methods that safeguard journalistic integrity. “There is a moral imperative to find the right balance,” he noted, reminding the audience that a free press is essential to a thriving society.

The Governor invited attendees to experience Bayelsa’s rich culture, hospitality, and cuisine, affirming the state’s pride in hosting the conference. He concluded with gratitude, saying, “I wish you a fruitful and inspiring meeting, and may your deliberations contribute significantly to the advancement of our democracy.”

The 2024 ANEC which has former Governor of Ogun State and Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Chief Segun Osoba and Founder/Publisher of Vanguard Media Group, Uncle Sam Amuka as Fathers of the day and Chair/Editor-In-Chief, this day/Arise Media group as Chairman of the conference.promises to be a landmark gathering, focusing not only on journalism’s role in Nigeria’s democracy but also on the critical need for responsible resource management and development across the nation.