Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Spain, Ambassador Yusuf Mamman, has challenged Online Publishers under the aegis of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers to lead the awareness campaign for Nigeria to key into global financial inclusion.
Mamman threw the challenge at the 8th Annual General Conference of GOCOP, which was held in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.
The conference, which spanned two days: October 2 and 3, 2024, had the theme: “Nigeria: Tackling Insecurity, Power Deficit, and Transitioning to Digital Economy.”
At the AGC that was held at Reverton Hotel, the President of GOCOP, Maureen Chigbo, also charged new members of the association to join in the task of ridding the online media space of fake news.
At the conference which had a former Minister of Power and former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke as Keynote Speaker and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State as the Chief Host, Ambassador Mamman said the card produced in Nigeria for online and automated teller machine transactions are hardly recognised abroad.
He said the global financial system has gone cashless and Nigeria must be integrated, adding that failure to do this could lead to what he called cyber balkanisation.
He admitted that Nigerian youths spend huge sums on data, but wondered if this ever goes into seeking knowledge.
He said: “There is knowledge out there on the internet where people can learn most things to improve themselves, but we must be sure that is where the huge data being poured into the internet by Nigerian youths is going to.
“There is what I regard as the biggest university in the world: ‘University of Youtube.’
“This has caused a huge transition in every aspect of life.”
Mamman noted that many technologies, including the Post and Telecommunication system and photography, have since transited to new techs.
The former ambassador noted that IT has caused quantum leap, which he said has also brought threats in the form of misinformation.
His worry is how Nigeria can safeguard morality and reduce sensationalism.
To GOCOP, the former Ambassador pointed to the availability of multiple platforms.
He urged GOCOP to find a way to embrace them to be relevant in the industry.
He said GOCOP must find how to transit from online journalism to a kind of media convergence system where Youtube, he said, is king.
He urged Nigerians not to wish online space away, saying: “If you don’t want to get wet, don’t get into the water.”
He said the digital media world is now about: “Like, Comment, and Share.”
Mamman commended the GOCOP members for sustaining the journey for eight years now, and recalled the early days of GOCOP.
He said the new media is opening new frontiers and this is opening new opportunities and challenges.
He said IT is an evolutionary process but as deep and wide as an ocean.
In her welcome remarks, the President of the association, who commended the host government and past presidents of the Guild, said the fight against fake news has persuaded GOCOP to enthrone strict membership screening as well as the ombudsman system.
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GOCOP, Chigbo added, has also joined the national media industry ombudsman system to escalate cases that may be beyond the association.
Some GOCOP partners delivered goodwill messages.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board was represented by the Corporate Communications Division through Teleola Oyeleke, who commended GOCOP for sustaining the Guild, saying it was evidence of the seriousness of the members.
Oyeleke said: “We regard you as one of NCDMB’s critical stakeholders.
“That is why the board has been partnering with this organisation.
“We are glad to partner you people both as a group and as individual publishers.”
He called on GOCOP to continue to support local content development, saying Nigeria is leading the drive in Africa.
The Nigerian Communications Commission was represented by Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, Head of Media Relations, who said the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, held GOCOP in high esteem.
Ibietan said the digital space and role of online publishing were critical and now a reality.
He said: “You are important, not just for popularising the NCC, but for opening the democratic space.
“We are improving the investment and productivity of the nation.
“That is why constructive ideas are always welcome to the NCC.”
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