Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has called for greater trust and collaboration between the media and all tiers of government as a pathway to deepening Nigeria’s democracy and accelerating sustainable development.

Describing both institutions as “co-authors of the nation’s future,” Governor Mbah made the call on Friday at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Biennial Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, held in Enugu.

Themed “Building a Secure and Cohesive Nigeria: The Role of Dialogue, Inclusion, and the Media,” the convention brought together over 400 editors, media executives, and public figures from across the country.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Mbah stressed the need to rebuild mutual trust between government and the media, noting that a healthy democracy depends on an informed public—and by extension, a press that is fair, fearless, and committed to truth.

“We know that the relationship of trust has sometimes frayed between the press and government. Too often, our engagements are shaped by suspicion or cynicism,” he said. “Let us change that. Let us return to a shared recognition that we are co-authors of Nigeria’s future.”

He underscored the media’s role not just as watchdogs, but as partners in nation-building, urging media professionals to uphold the values of responsible journalism.

“Let us replace the distance with dialogue. Let us see intelligent critique as public service instead of hostility. Journalism must remain a space where truth is not compromised for sensation or political ends, where rigorous reporting triumphs,” the governor stated.

Governor Mbah further emphasized the importance of inclusion and accountability as core values of his administration, citing his government’s open-door policy, transparency measures, and equal distribution of development projects across the 260 political wards in the state.

“In Enugu, we are not just building roads, schools, and hospitals. We are restoring public trust,” he said. “We are expanding the civic space and fostering robust dialogue because we know that governance without inclusion is fragile, and democracy without scrutiny is hollow.”

He highlighted key projects such as the 260 Smart Green Schools, 260 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres, and 260 Farm Estates—deliberately distributed across all wards to ensure no community is left behind.

“Our transformation agenda is rooted in the belief that a society is only as strong as its most vulnerable members,” Mbah noted. “We are bridging the divide between urban and rural areas. No one’s location should determine their access to quality education or reliable healthcare.”

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s vision to grow Enugu’s economy to $30 billion through innovation, inclusion, and enterprise-driven leadership.

“We are connecting our people to new skills, new markets, and new possibilities—and we are doing so with an eye on the future,” he concluded.

Other notable speakers at the event included the Founder of Channels Television, Dr. John Momoh; former Ogun State Governor and veteran journalist, Chief Segun Osoba; President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Eze Anaba; and media icon and former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Onyema Ugochukwu.