Why Rivers is hosting 2016 Editors’ Conference —Wike

ALL is now set for the 12th edition of the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC), holding from August 3 to August 7 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The conference will have as theme: “Economic Diversification: Agriculture as Option for a Prosperous Nigeria.”

No fewer than 300 Nigerian editors, a collection of mainstream farmers, agribusiness financiers, policy-makers and captains of industry are expected to grace the event.

The host governor, Nyesom Wike, said the conference would afford the state the opportunity to showcase its investment potentials.

In a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor noted that the conference would be a fitting platform to partner with editors and the media to consolidate development in both the state and the nation at large.

Wike noted that the state was hosting several national and international events as a demonstration of the fact that Rivers was an investors’ destination, stressing that the state was peaceful and the people hospitable.

“Hosting this year’s conference will also make the editors witness first-hand the development projects and programmes of my administration which has improved the living standard of the people,” the governor said.

The All Nigeria Editors’ Conference is the largest gathering of Nigerian editors. It is a watering hole of ideas that have shaped government policies and programmes over the years.

The maiden edition was held in 2004 at Ada, in Osun State. Subsequent editions have been held in different parts of the country.

The conference also attracts both local and foreign speakers as well as editors from organisations such as the West African Editors Forum (WAEF), the African Editors Forum (TAEF), the World Editors Forum (WEF) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

At this year’s edition, founder of HoneySuckle PTL Ventures, Mosunmola Cynthia Umoru, would speak on “Agriculture as Panacea for Unemployment,” while Mr Kola Adeniji of Niji Farms would talk on “Agriculture as a Foreign Exchange Earner.”

The Chief Executive of Bank of Agriculture, Professor Danbala Danju, would be explaining the “Role of Banks in Agriculture Financing,” while Kano-based farmer, Muhammad Abubakar, the Managing Director of L&Z Integrated Farms, would experientially explore the topic: “Making the Most of Agriculture Value Chain.”

The acting president of the Guild, Funke Egbemode, said “the sole emphasis on agriculture for this year’s conference was in response to the falling price of crude oil at the international market, which has automatically reduced government’s earnings and revenue base.”