Yusuf Mamman
Stir Nigeria into global financial inclusion, Yusuf Mamman charges online publishers
• As GOCOP President teaches new members on how ridding the media space
Nigeria must key into global financial inclusion and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) must lead in the awareness that may help Nigeria achieve this.
The charge was handed down to GOCOP by Yusuf Mamman, Nigeria’s former ambassador to Spain, who was the chairman of the 2024 Annual General Conference of GOCOP at Reverton Hotel in Lokoja, Kogi State capital.
This was as Maureen Chigbo, GOCOP President, also told new GOCOP members how to ride the online media space immersed in fake news.
The 8th annual conference is with the theme: “Nigeria: Tackling Insecurity, Power Deficit, and Transitioning to Digital Economy,” and the keynote speaker is former governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, while Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State is chief host.
In his opening remarks, the former ambassador said Nigerian cards rarely get recognized abroad, regretting that this has led to many hardships.
Mamman said 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.
He 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 noted that many technologies including the Post and Telecommunication (P&T) system and photography have since transited to new techs,” he said.
The former ambassador noted that IT has caused quantum leap which he said has also brought threats in the form of misinformation. His worry thus is how Nigeria can safeguard morality and reduce sensationalism.
The former Ambassador, however, identified availability of multiple platforms, urging 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 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’.
He commended the GOCOP members for sustaining the journey for eight years now, recalling the early days of GOCOP.
According to him, the new media is opening new frontiers and this is opening new opportunities and challenges, noting that IT is an evolutionary process, deep and wide as an ocean.
In her welcome remarks, the GOCOP President who commended the host government, 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.
GOCOP, she added, has also joined national media industry ombudsman system to escalate cases that may be beyond the GOCOP.
Some GOCOP partners delivered goodwill messages, including the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) which was represented by Teleola Oyeleke of the Corporate Communications Division. Teleola Oyeleke commended GOCOP for sustaining the Guild, saying it was evidence of seriousness of the members.
He said: “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.”
He called on 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 GOCOP in high esteem.
He said the digital space and role of online publishing were critical and now a reality. “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.”