Presidency Endorses ACOE, Assures Collaboration
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Presidency Endorses ACOE, Assures Collaboration
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has confirmed the presidency’s support for the formation of the Association of Corporate Online Publishers (ACOE) in Nigeria.
During a courtesy call by an ACOE delegation in Abuja on Friday, Onanuga pledged the federal government’s collaboration with the association to promote the online media space and develop ethical journalism.
In his address, Onanuga expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and good wishes from the association members.
He highlighted the presidency’s interest in working with ACOE, acknowledging its commitment to ethical journalism as presented by the association’s Chairman, Martins Odiete.
Onanuga emphasized the importance of synergy among existing online media bodies to enhance proficiency, effectiveness, and news dissemination in line with global best practices. He noted the growing influence of online media over traditional outlets.
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“I extend a warm welcome to the Association of Corporate Online Editors. This is the third online association we have encountered. We are already dealing with two others, although I can’t recall their names at the moment. However, your presence is appreciated. The more associations we have while dealing with Nigeria’s information architecture, the better,” Onanuga stated.
Onanuga addressed concerns about government communication, asserting that the government utilizes various channels to reach the public, adapting to the diverse media landscape.
“There are social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and others. If you shift away from traditional media, you’ll find that numerous individuals own online media outlets. The information system is so diverse now that we cannot welcome every entity operating in this space. So, in addition to the two associations I mentioned earlier, you are also very welcome,” Onanuga emphasized.
Onanuga reiterated the need for collaboration and in-depth reporting among online platforms to improve the quality of news.
He advised online publishers to consolidate their efforts for more comprehensive news stories rather than producing superficial content. He stressed the importance of avoiding unnecessary adjectives in reporting and maintaining rigorous journalism standards.
“You will also see that advertisement 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,” Onanuga warned.
He assured the delegation of his unwavering commitment to President Tinubu’s vision to alleviate the country’s economic challenges, calling for patience and pledging necessary 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 said.
“I will do my best, drawing from over forty years of experience, to help the government communicate its message effectively. 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.”
Onanuga acknowledged the global cost of living crisis and highlighted the government’s efforts to mitigate economic hardships. He encouraged Nigerians to engage in agriculture to reduce dependence on traders exploiting the situation.
Earlier, Martins Odiete, Chairman of ACOE, expressed gratitude for the meeting opportunity.
In his presentation titled “Collaborating for a Stronger Online Media Landscape in Nigeria,” Odiete emphasized the importance of working with the presidency’s media team for effective news dissemination.
Odiete outlined areas for potential collaboration, including open communication, joint training programs, content standards, and coordinated announcements.
He stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the collaboration to foster public trust.
The ACOE Chairman also mentioned upcoming projects to mark the association’s second anniversary, seeking support from the presidency’s media office for the event.
