The Nigeria’s Former Ambassador to Spain, Yusuf Mamman has called on the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) to lead in the awareness for Nigeria to key into global financial inclusion, stressing that to achieve this the online publishers should not fold their arms.
Penpushing reports that he gave the charge as the chairman at the 8th annual conference of Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) with the theme, ‘Nigeria: Tackling Insecurity, Power Deficit, and Transitioning to Digital Economy’, held in Lokoja, Kogi State Capital
The former Ambassador said Nigeria cards rarely get recognized abroad, regretting that this has led to many hardships, adding that the global financial system has gone cashless and Nigeria must be integrated, saying failure to get integrated could lead to what he called cyber balkanization.
Penpushing further reports that Mamman in his opening remarks, at the well-organized conference admitted that Nigerian youths spend huge sums on data, but wondered if this huge spending ever goes to seeking knowledge.
‘There is knowledge out there in 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 huge transition in every aspect of life’, he said
Penpushing also reports that he noted that many technologies including the Post and Telecommunication (P&T) system and photography have since transited to new techs, stressing that Information Technology (IT) has caused quantum leap which he said has also brought threats in the form of misinformation.
The chairman of the occasion expressed worry on how Nigeria can safeguard morality and reduce sensationalism, pointing out availability of multiple platforms and urged Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) to find a way to embrace them to be relevant in the industry.
Penpushing reports that he said Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) must find how to transit from online journalism to a kind of media convergence system where Youtube, he said, is king, and equally urged Nigerians not to wish online space away.
The former Ambassador commended the online publishers for sustaining the journey for eight years now, and recalled the early days of the formation, he said the new media is opening new frontiers and this is opening new opportunities and challenges, emphasizing that Information Technology (IT) is an evolutionary process but as deep and wide as an ocean.
Penpushing further reports that the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) partner at the event was represented by the Corporate Communications Division through Teleola Oyeleke, who commended the publishers for sustaining the Guild, saying it was evidence of seriousness of the members
“We regard you as one of NCDMB’s critical stakeholders. That is why the board has been partnering this organization. We are glad to partner you people both as a group and as individual publsihers’, Oyeleke emphasised
Penpushing also reports that he called on Guild of Online Corporate Publishers (GOCOP) to continue to support local content development, saying Nigeria is leading the drive in Africa.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was represented by Dr Omoniyi Ibietan, Head of Media Relations, who said the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, held Guild of Online Corporate Publishers (GOCOP) in high esteem.
Penpushing further reports that he said the digital space and role of online publishing were critical and now a reality, stressing that Guild of Online Corporate Publishers (GOCOP) remains very important and important body
‘You are important, not just for popularizing the NCC but for opening the democratic space. We are improving investment and productivity of the nation. That is why constructive ideas are always welcome to the NCC’, Ibetan added
Penpushing also reports that President of Guild of Online Corporate Publishers (GOCOP) Maureen Chigbo, in her welcome speech charged new members to join in the task of ridding the online media space of fake news.
The President commended the Kogi state government for hosting of the conference, past presidents of the Guild, said the fight against fake news has persuaded the body to enthrone strict membership screening as well as the ombudsman system. .
Penpushing reports that Chigbo disclosed that Guild of Online Corporate Publishers (GOCOP) has also joined national media industry ombudsman system to escalate cases that may be beyond the organization.
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