Commissioner for Information hosts Community Media Practitioners in Lagos
The Commissioner for Information and and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, met with members of the Association of Practitioners of Community Media (APCOM), who were on visit to push continued engagement with the Lagos State Government.
The APCOM team, which was led by Abayomi Adejumo, National President, said it is also an opportunity to discuss participatory journalism in communities as a means to advancing democratic benefits to the citizens.
The Honourable Commissioner, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso admitted that Community Media platforms particularly Newspapers are major outlets for news across the globe. He admitted that funding have been a major impediment to the success of Community Newspapers, but few Community Newspapers have been able to sustain themselves through creative ingenuity.
“It is good that this meeting happened today. Community Journalism is what I like to discuss most times. The government will surely work with your members”, Honourable Commissioner declared.
The commissioner urged members of APCOM not to rest on their oars. He said, “we know you are closer to the people at the grassroot and you are playing a vital role serving as the voice of the people and watchdog in your various Communities”
The APCOM National President, in his response admitted that funding has been a major bottleneck to consistent publishing of Community Newspapers. But that constraint has not deterred some of its members from serving the information need of their respective communities.
He also sought the support of the Ministry for its programmes and projects as an association.
The twilight of the meeting was the induction of the Honourable Commissioner as an Honorary Patron of Association of Practitioners of Community Media in Nigeria.
Mr. Oloyede of AgegeTv Online, the acting Public Relation Officer of APCOM, while delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the Association appreciates the Honourable Commissioner for his kind gesture and for giving members of APCOM the audience which he believed is the beginning of a healthy and symbiotic relationship between the Lagos State Government and the Association of Practitioners of Community Media of Nigeria.(APCOM).
He assured the Honourable Commissioner for Information of continuous Professional conduct of its members and commitment towards the development of Communities in Lagos State and Nigeria at large through effective dissemination of correct and verified information.
The Honourable Commissioner was also joined by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olumide Sogunle and the Director of Public Affairs Adesegun Ogundeji and other members of Staff.
Some Community media Practitioners also present at the meeting yesterday are, Mr. Oloyede Kolawole S. of AgegeTv Online, Mr. Wale Adeleye of Grassroot Times, among others.
