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, chairman of the 2024 Annual General Conference of GOCOP holding at Reverton Hotel in Lokoja, Kogi State capital.

This is as Maureen Chigbo, GOCOP President, has charged new members to join in the task of ridding the online media space of fake news.
The 8th annual conference has the theme, “Nigeria: Tackling Insecurity, Power Deficit, and Transitioning to Digital Economy.” The keynote speaker is His excellency Liyel Imoke, former governor of Cross River State, while Gov Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State is chief host.

In his opening remarks, the former ambassador said Nigeria 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.
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.

To GOCOP, the former Ambassador pointed to 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’.

He 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 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. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) was represented by the Corporate Communications Division through Teleola Oyeleke, who 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.”