Realnews editor canvasses escalation, broadening of conversation on AfCFTA, on economic challenges facing Africa  

THE editor and publisher of Realnews magazine, Ms Maureen Chigbo, has stressed the need to escalate and broaden the conversation on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, AfCFTA, and the economic challenges facing Africa with Nigeria as the regional economic Powerhouse.

Delivering her welcome address at the 9th Anniversary Lecture of and Investiture into the Realnews Hall of Fame, Chigbo said that the choice of the 2021 topic: “Nigeria in the Unfolding Integration of the African Market: The Oil and Gas Perspective” is “borne out of the realisation that at present, the Nigerian economy is heavily dependent on oil.

.“As we think of weaning the country of this dependency and lay emphasis on gas, especially with the declaration of the decade for gas in Nigeria by the federal government, we believe speakers at the lecture can provide a guide to achieve this objective, especially as more oil and gas are being discovered in countries in Africa at a time the integration of the African market through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), has begun and emphasis is shifting to sustainable renewable energy resources.”

She noted that this lecture is also an opportunity to discuss Africa’s economic development, especially against the background of ongoing debate on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, AfCFTA, whose implementation began on January 2021, amidst the controversy over the adoption of a regional currency by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and how this will affect exploitation of oil and gas resources in Nigeria and the continent in general.

“We have a carefully selected panel of discussants with relevant expertise, knowledge and experience to shed more lights on the topic.

“I would like to appeal to my journalist colleagues to ensure that the message from here today is heard in Africa and beyond. Of course, at Realnews we will ensure that we do our part by giving the widest publicity to this important lecture and the discussions.

Realnews boasts a crop of seasoned journalists who believe strongly in the tenets and ethics of the profession.

“We are convinced that journalism as the Fourth Estate of the Realm can contribute to building a free, fair and just society where fundamental human rights are respected and where citizens enjoy the freedom to pursue their interests without let or hindrance. Our motto at Realnews is: “For God and Humanity,” she said.

She recalled that in the past nine years Realnews has kept faith with our Vision and Mission statements. “We have investigated and published exclusive stories that cover all sectors of our focus, including politics, oil and gas, business and economy, women, youth and environment etc. We can proudly say that we have done and continue to do our job with a highest sense of responsibility.

“However, the modest success we have recorded at Realnews has come with its share of challenges, especially in fashioning creative ways to sustain our publication in a difficult economic environment with dwindling prospects for advertisement.

“Consequently, we would like to invite everyone here, especially those who are not already on our mail list to visit our website and subscribe to our e-Newsletter to enjoy investigative reports on topical development issues rendered in professional style.

“Realnews Magazine is free but without your support, from the public or private sector alike, and civil society, it will not survive!

“The support can be in form of advertisement, special supplement and special features on your company/organization for publication on our website. We also welcome donations and capacity building programmes for our staff to serve our clients better.

“Realnews is also into media consultancy; writing of books and biographies, and image survey for companies. Over the years, the books we have published include Federal Road Safety Commission in the Eyes of the Media Volume 1 – 4; Pathways to Political and Economic Development of Africa, and Paragon of Journalism Volume 1 and 2.

We are working on several manuscripts and require sponsors for their publication.

These are some of the ways we raise money for our free-source on-line publication, with investigative journalism, as our first-love.

“In addition, we also welcome whistle-blowers in the world of Realnews magazine. Rest assured that all information provided would be handled with the highest sense of responsibility and confidentiality,” she added.

(Realnews Magazine)