Former Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has once again given reason for the introduction of the mantra, ‘change begins with me’.
Alhaji Mohammed said in his quest to make a difference when he served the nation during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, he felt he needed to introduce a concept that would carry all Nigerians along.
Speaking at the 9th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Lagos during the week, Mohammed said he realised that corrupt practises spread across Nigeria and across social divides.
His words: “I knew I had to carry everyone along as we struggled to change the orientation of Nigerians – from the gateman to the porter. We all needed to be reminded to do the right thing by changing our attitude and collective approach to serving our country.
“As for we politicians, we campaign in poetry and when we get to power, we rule in prose. We generally fail to fulfil our campaign promises.
“You see, as a young man, while growing up, what we experienced was that education was generally the business of the local and regional governments. Getting education right normally begins from the primary school. We need to go back and engage our local governments”.
While speaking about his other achievements as a minister, Alhaji Mohammed said “the town-hall meeting I introduced helped us to stay close to the people. It was the opportunity we needed to let the people know what the government was doing. Other ministers were carried along to showcase their achievements at their different ministries. It helped us bridge the trust deficit between the government and the people”.
The former minister then submitted that the theme of the GOCOP conference, ‘Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects,’ was timely and very relevant especially as Nigeria and Nigerians get ready for another season of electioneering campaign.
At the same event, GOCOP admitted and inducted eight new members into the guild, as part of its 9th Annual Conference.
Those inducted included Dapo Falade, (Publisher, Newscoven.com); Olayinka Agboola (Publisher, PM Parrot and Parrot Xtra Magazine); Olugbenga Kayode (Publisher, Consumer Connect); Olumuyiwa Akintunde (Publisher, BreezyNewsNG); Tola Akinmutimi (Publisher, BRTNews.ng); Tony Amokeodo (Publisher, TheIdealNews); Ofonime Umanah (Publisher, Today’sNewsNow, TNN) and Dele Aderibigbe (Publisher, Maritime First).
The newly-inducted members were charged to adhere strictly to the ethics of journalism, espoused by GOCOP.
In the same vein, the tenure of the President Maureen Chigbo-led GOCOP exco ended on Thursday as it formally handed over to a new exco under the leadership of President Danlami Nmodu, mni.
The change of baton from Chigbo to Nmodu followed a peaceful election which was conducted during the Day One of the GOCOP 9th Annual Conference.
GOCOP is a body of online publishing organisations, run by professional journalists with backgrounds in broadcasting, print and new media.
The GOCOP event was attended by Chief Bode George, former Speaker of House of Reps, Hon Bello Masari, Chief Femi Adesina, Mr Gbenga Omotosho (Information Commissioner, Lagos State), Eniola Bello of Thisday Newspapers, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director General at the National Orientation Agency, NOA and others.
Packaged by Alice Egbedele
