All online publishers operating from the nation’s capital have united under the aegis of Abuja Online Publishers (AOP) with a firm resolve to unite for truth and accuracy in the emerging media industry.
In a statement e-signed by the Acting Secretary of the Association, Sola Akinboye, held its inaugural meeting at the National Union of Journalists, NUJ-FCT Secretariat on Friday, in attendance are Publishers drawn from across news genres operating primarily online.
Abuja Online Publishers aims to advocate the importance of verifiable and trusted online news media in a democratic society, and to encourage diversity and inclusion as reference point for high editorial standards.
The Association intends to serve its members and the wider industry through lobbying, campaigning and facilitating professional development through events and activities that will meet the emerging needs of the media industry in Nigeria.
To steer the Association in the interim, a five-member committee chaired by Publisher Ajasa Media, Martins Odiete, to be assisted by the Publisher of Peaknews Online, Ignatius Ushie, the Publisher of RegentAfrica Times, Sola Akingboye, is the Secretary of the Association.
Also, the Publisher of The Sight News, Gift Olivia, and the Publisher TeeTv News, Khadijat Oluwatoyin Ameen were appointed as Treasurer and Financial Secretary, respectively.
Furthermore, Two ad-hoc committees for the drafting of the guilds Constitution and Finance were equally constituted with the latter expected to conclude its terms of reference and report within two weeks.
All the Publishers in attendance were unanimous in their resolve to work together professionally and pragmatically in order to lay an enduring foundation for the online genre of journalism, which is the future of the pen profession.