NIGERIA’S PUBLIC AFFAIRS ANALYSTS FORM UMBRELLA BODY

GPAAN's President, Mr. Ayo Baje, reading his speech at the press conference.  

A body known as the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria, otherwise known as GPAAN, has been formed.

Presenting the body to the media in its maiden press conference on Thursday, 23^rdAugust, 2018 in Lagos, the President of the body, Mr. Ayo Baje, in his speech disclosed why it became necessary to birth an umbrella body of public affairs commentators in the country.

According to him, the need for the guild arose in order to bridge the widening gap between the leaders and the led majority; between the country’s vast, God-given human and material resources, and the parlous, socio-economic, Human Development Index (HDI) status of the average Nigerian. This, he said, brought about the need for the coming together of like minds; patriotic, committed and conscientious Nigerians, who are genuinely concerned about the state of the nation. 

Some of GPAAN present at the conference.

Hear him: “GPAAN is the coming together of like minds; patriotic, committed and conscientious Nigerians, who are genuinely concerned about the state of the nation.  And they are determined to bridge the widening gap between the leaders and the led majority; between our vast, God-given human and material resources, and the parlous, socio-economic, Human Development Index (HDI) status of the average Nigerian.

“This we do virtually on daily basis through selfless, objective and non-partisan analysis on air (radio and television), online blogs, in-depth opinion essays in our columns published by the print media.”

Speaking on the cardinal points on which the body’s focus would be driven, he listed such as: (1) To unify and provide a common front for public affairs analysts in Nigeria (2) To organize lectures, trainings, workshops, symposia seminars for individuals, governments and corporate bodies, and issue press releases (3) To promote learning, knowledge, critical thinking, public speaking and issue-based analysis (4) To promote the interests and welfare of the guild. These, he disclosed, have been clearly spelt out in Form CAC/IT/1, which bothers on the aims and objectives of the guild.

Messrs Achike Chude (left), and Charles Ideho, BoT members and radio/tv analysts

Speaking further, he said, “The noble aim is to continue to draw much-needed attention of members of the political class, policy makers, and captains of industry to run the affairs of Nigeria within the dictates of democracy, in line with constitutional provisions, and in tandem with globally accepted best practices. The driving passion is to enthrone the state above the self, all in the national interest.

“Ours is therefore, a veritable platform that intends to be there for one another, to streamline the activities of public affairs analysts, and articulate and standardize same to an enviable level throughout the nation.

“With such a mandate, we must admit that we cannot do it all alone. That explains why we are reaching out to you; our colleagues in the print, electronic and online media, to partner with us in the onerous task of sustained socio-economic and political reengineering.”

Other members of GPAAN. 2nd left is Mr. Victor Esemena-Anya, GPAAN's Secretary.

Members of the BoT of GPAAN, including Mr. Lekan Sote (Vice President) and a renowned newspaper columnist, Mr. Victor Esemena-Anya (Secretary), Mr. Joseph Warilayefa Amaoru (Treasurer), Mr. Achike Chude, Mr. Charles Ideho, Mr. Ziggy Ibeh, and a couple of other members of the body were also introduced at the occasion, who took turns to respond to some of the questions asked by newsmen.

The President said plans were being put in place by GPAAN to have similar and pragmatic, partnerships with the NUJ, NPAN, BON, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and similar professional associations in furtherance of its cause.

“Together, we will breathe life into our project, and keep expanding its horizon in order to achieve our vision,” he said.