[Photos] Abia State Government To Partner With OMPAN In Curbing Fake News

The government of Abia State has expressed its willingness to partner with the Abia State chapter of Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN).

This was made known by the Deputy Governor of the State, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu while receiving in audience, members of OMPAN led by its chapter chairman, Mr. Ugochukwu Nwankwo at the conference room of the Deputy Governor’s Office, Government House, Umuahia, the state capital on Tuesday, October 30.

Oko Chukwu who noted that the role played by online media owners in news gathering and dissemination, shaping and molding opinion of members of the public on government policies and actions cannot be overemphasized.

Abia Deputy Governor while lamenting on the activities of some online media practitioners that he accused of using their platforms to marling, witch-hunt and paint the government negatively, called for regulation, story balancing and crosschecking of facts before going to press.

“I must tell you that I am so delighted to have all of you here, especially as you have decided to come and pay this courtesy call to see how your group can partner with the state government to get the best for Abians.

“This is a right step in the right direction and as a government who is interested in getting the best for Abians, we will like to partner with your group.

“At this time, there is nothing that you can do to avoid the social media and online news. It is equally good that you, the real practitioners have decided to bring yourselves together. There is need for this association. There is need for us get to know the real practitioners

“I want to assure you of the readiness of this government to partner with your organization and establish a robust relationship.

“The issue of censorship is very important because I am sure that in few years to come, people are going to depend on online medium to get information that they want to get and when information are not censored, people will end up reading what is not true.

“People (some online media owners) post pictures and videos that are absurd or can do more harm than good to the society. It might not be the best for the state and the entire country. You can censor what you dish out for the public to consume, so that at the end of the day, your aim of using your platform to inform, educate and entertain the general public will not be defeated.”

On some of the areas of challenge of the group, Oko Chukwu assured that he would consult with his boss; Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu to see how they can assist the association in addressing them.

Earlier in his speech, OMPAN state chairman, Nwankwo stated that the essence of the visit was to introduce the newly elected executive members of the group to the Deputy Governor.

Nwankwo, while lamenting on the gap between the government and the association said it was necessary that the state government partner with OMPAN in order to keep Abians and the world abreast of the state government’s policies and some of the achievements of the Ikpeazu led administration since it assumed office.

He used the opportunity to inform the host that the association in carrying out one of its mandates would be embarking on a tour of the ongoing and completed projects of the state government in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state in November.

“As part and parcel of the society, journalists play a key role in value orientation and attitudinal change.

“A lot of people look up to us for information and we have been doing that. I think it will be necessary for us to work together with this government to ensure that we feed the people with the right information and as well, make the people to know the role that they are expected to play as citizens of the state towards the effective implementation of such government policies.”

In his speech, the National Secretary of OMPAN, Mr. Emenike Iroegbu said “Online media has come to stay. Records show that the number of printed newspapers in the market has dropped tremendously because people have come to embrace online news.

“That is to say, that there is extra need for government to pay more attention in what we (OMPAN members) do on our online platforms. All that we are demanding for is corporate relationship to work as a unit so that we can achieve something for the state and as individuals.”

Present at the parley were Commissioner for Information, Hon. John Okiyi Kalu, Commissioner for Boundary Matters and Conflict Resolution, Chief Mascot Obike, the Principal Secretary to the Gov. of Abia State Engr. Sir Emma Nwabuko. Deputy Chief of Staff to the Office of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Chris Nwagbaoso, Permanent Secretary, Government House, Bernard Ogbonna, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Abel G.O Azu among other state government functionaries including the National President of OMPAN, Mr. James Emeh and other members of the association in the state.