The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, has confirmed the presidency’s support for the newly formed Association of Corporate Online Publishers (ACOE) in Nigeria.
This association aims to foster ethical journalism and regulate the rapidly growing online media space. Onanuga pledged the federal government’s collaboration with ACOE during a courtesy call by the association’s delegation in Abuja on Friday.
Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome from ACOE members, Onanuga highlighted the presidency’s interest in partnering with the association due to its commitment to ethical journalism, as outlined by ACOE Chairman Martins Odiete. Onanuga emphasized the importance of synergy among online media bodies to enhance proficiency, effectiveness, and global best practices in news dissemination, given the increasing influence of online media over traditional media.
“I want to thank you all for wishing me a happy birthday, even if it’s a day late. I hope all of you live long, healthy, and prosperous lives. I wish the best for all of you as I wish for myself. Thank you very much,” Onanuga said.
He extended a warm welcome to ACOE, noting it as the third online media association he has engaged with, alongside two others he couldn’t immediately recall. He appreciated ACOE’s presence, stating that more associations enhance Nigeria’s information architecture.
Addressing concerns about government communication, Onanuga assured that the administration is effectively utilizing various channels. He acknowledged the diversity of the media landscape, which now includes numerous online platforms and social media like TikTok and Snapchat. “The information system is so diverse now that we cannot welcome every entity operating in this space,” he added.
Onanuga urged online platforms to collaborate and improve news quality through in-depth reporting and resource pooling. He advised against publishing shallow content and emphasized rigorous journalism. “You will also see that advertisements placements follow; you will discover that your traffic will automatically increase because readers want quality. But if you are operating in silos, it is never going to be easy at all,” he warned.
Reaffirming his commitment to President Tinubu’s vision, Onanuga called for patience from Nigerians and pledged media support for ACOE. “On the part of the government, I want to tell you that I cherished this meeting, we will do our best. Once I have your contacts, anything we want to send to this group in terms of government information, we will use that contact to pass the information to the group. Also, when we get to the festive period, we would know who to approach in terms of talking to the entire group.”
Onanuga shared insights from his extensive experience to help the government communicate effectively. He acknowledged the current economic hardships but expressed optimism about improvements in the coming months. “Currently, things are not working as the President wants, but I can assure you that in the next twelve months, Nigerians will begin to see the results of the government’s efforts for the country’s benefit,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of agriculture, Onanuga encouraged Nigerians to engage in farming to combat profiteering by traders. He recalled past government initiatives like ‘Operation Feed the Nation’ and stressed the need for self-sufficiency. “I will be starting my farm very soon. Everyone should farm. We don’t need to depend on greedy traders who are making us suffer.”
Earlier, ACOE Chairman Martins Odiete expressed gratitude for the meeting and outlined ACOE’s operations, emphasizing ethical standards and the importance of collaboration with the presidency’s media team.
“It is important to state here that members of this Association are thoroughly screened to avoid admitting the wrong persons. Part of the criteria used in screening them include and are not limited to being registered NUJ members, having their organizations registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, paying taxes, and publishing daily,” Odiete explained.
Odiete highlighted areas for collaboration, including open communication, joint training programs, content standards, and crisis communication. He emphasized transparency and accountability, proposing regular reports on collaborative efforts to maintain public trust.
In conclusion, Odiete announced ACOE’s upcoming projects, including its second anniversary and investiture program, seeking the presidency’s support. “By working together, we can ensure that the information reaching the public is accurate, responsible, and serves the greater good of society. Thank you, and we look forward to the fruitful collaborations that lie ahead,” Odiete concluded.
