The Concerned Progressive Professional Network has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Osun State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, particularly the Online Media Chapel, in promoting good governance, professional journalism and responsible information dissemination in Nigeria.
The organisation made this known during a meeting with members of the Osun NUJ Online Media Chapel at its office in Osogbo, Osun State.
The meeting had in attendance the National President of CPPN, Dr. Victor Olusola O., who is also Managing Director of Divine Opticals, the Welfare Director of CPPN, Engr. Adebisi Oyenekan, the Chairman of the Osun NUJ Online Media Chapel, Mr. Isa Isawade, other CPPN members and executives of the Chapel.
Responding during the meeting, the Welfare Director of CPPN, Engr. Adebisi Oyenekan, expressed appreciation to members of the Osun NUJ Online Media Chapel for the visit, saying he was impressed by the chapel’s objectives and its commitment to responsible journalism.
He admitted that he had previously held reservations about media practitioners because of the perception that some could be influenced by money to publish information favourable to those who paid them.
He said however that the presentation by the Online Media Chapel had changed his perception and convinced him that there were still journalists committed to truth and national development.
“It is a thing of joy that we have this number of people who have come to share what they have at the back of their minds and, more importantly, demonstrate genuine concern for the country,” Oyenekan said.
He noted that Nigeria’s challenges required collective responsibility, saying citizens and leaders must work together to change the direction of the country.
Oyenekan also expressed concern about Nigerians who leave the country in search of better opportunities but sometimes become disconnected from their roots or exposed to negative influences in foreign environments.
He said collaboration among professionals, media practitioners and other stakeholders could create the synergy needed to achieve meaningful national development.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Osun NUJ Online Media Chapel, Mr. Isa Isawade, said the chapel was established to bring professionalism, credibility and accountability to the rapidly growing online media sector.
He described the online media space as one of the fastest-growing sectors of journalism but expressed concern that it had, for a long time, operated without sufficient professional structure.
According to him, the ease of accessing smartphones and social media platforms has made it possible for virtually anybody to publish information without proper verification, giving rise to misinformation, fake news and one-sided reports.
He said the situation had become more complicated with the emergence of Artificial Intelligence which could be used to create manipulated audio and video materials capable of making people appear to say or do things they never said or did.
Isawade explained that the NUJ Online Media Chapel was established to provide structure for online journalism practice, register online media correspondents and publishers, promote verification and provide a recognised channel through which government institutions, security agencies, organisations and individuals could engage legitimate online journalists.
He said the chapel would also provide a platform through which individuals or organisations who felt misrepresented could lodge complaints, while members found culpable could face appropriate disciplinary measures.
He added that the chapel had begun visiting government institutions, ministries and security agencies to introduce the new structure and explain how they could engage with verified online media practitioners.
According to him, the chapel was also willing to support organisations such as CPPN in reaching the public through credible media platforms.
“If you want a particular number of media organisations to disseminate information about your programmes or policies, let us know. We know how to identify the appropriate platforms and members who can help you achieve that,” Isawade said.
In his remarks, the National President of CPPN explained that the organisation was established to mobilise professionals from different fields to take active interest in governance and contribute their expertise towards addressing Nigeria’s developmental challenges.
He said Nigeria could not achieve meaningful progress if professionals continued to remain on the sidelines while people with limited capacity occupied positions of leadership.
“We can feed our families, build our houses and drive our cars. But what happens when people get into power and make policies that destroy everything we have built? When the right people are not at the helm of affairs, wrong policies will automatically become the order of the day,” he said.
He clarified that CPPN was neither a political party nor a pressure or agitation group, but a platform designed to encourage professionals including doctors, lawyers, engineers, journalists, lecturers and other experts to participate actively in governance.
He said the organisation had attracted professionals within Nigeria with representation in 25 states currently and structures in several Nigerian states as well as chapters in countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
The meeting ended with both sides expressing optimism about further collaboration and sustained engagement in the interest of good governance, professional journalism and national development.
