The Nigerian Guild of Editors has inaugurated a Research, Training and Publications Committee aimed at strengthening journalism practice and promoting media scholarship in Nigeria.
The committee was unveiled at the Editors’ House in Ikeja, Lagos State, during a ceremony attended by members of the Guild.
In a statement jointly signed by the Guild’s President, Eze Anaba, and the General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, the organisation said the new body would help improve professional skills among journalists while bridging the gap between academic training and newsroom practice.
Anaba explained that the committee was carefully constituted to combine academic expertise with industry experience.
“The committee was established to bridge the gap between academic training and professional practice in Nigeria’s media industry,” Anaba said.
He added that members were selected to reflect a balance between scholars and experienced media professionals.
“The membership of the committee reflects our aspiration of bridging the gap between the town and gown. I am confident the members will deploy their collective expertise to advance the Guild’s intellectual and professional mandate,” he stated.
According to the Guild, the committee will conduct and support research on issues affecting journalism and media practice, including studies on readership, viewership and listenership trends.
Anaba further noted that the body would also produce publications to encourage excellence and innovation in journalism.
“The committee will publish books, journals and online materials that promote best practices in journalism and strengthen the professionalism of Guild members,” he said.
Reacting to the development, the committee chairman and Fellow of the Guild, Chinyere Stella Okunna, described the initiative as timely and beneficial to the media industry.
“With the calibre and experience of members of this committee, I am confident that we will add significant value to the Guild and the wider media industry,” Okunna said.
Other members of the committee include Tony Onyima, Angela Agoawike, Iyobosa Uwugiaren and Kabir Alabi Garba.
The Guild stated that the committee will serve for a two-year term.
