Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers and life patron of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Mr. Sam Amuka, has tasked the board of the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC) otherwise known as the Ombudsman, to ensure professionalism.
Amuka gave the charge in Lagos while inaugurating the nine-man commission. During the occasion, seven of the nine members of the commission headed by the former managing director of the Guardian Newspapers Limited, Mr Emeka Izeze, were in attendance. Others members present were Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna, deputy vice chancellor (Academics) Paul University, Awka, Anambra State; Dr Hussain Abdu, a development specialist and country director, Care International (Nigeria); Mr. Lanre Idowu, CEO/editor-in-chief, Diamond Publications Ltd and founder, Diamond Awards For Media Excellence (DAME); Mr. Edetaen Ojo, executive director, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Mrs. Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo, a journalist, lawyer and arbitrator and Mrs. Eugenia Abu, broadcaster, author and columnist. Mr. A. B. Mahmoud, former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Hon. Segun Odebunmi, chair, House of Representatives Committee on Information were absent. At the event, the president of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) who doubles as the president of the Nigeria Press Organisation (NPO), Malam Kabiru A. Yusuf said, “We expect the commission to serve as an independent forum for resolving complaints about the press quickly, fairly and free of charge; maintain high standards of Nigerian journalism and journalistic ethics and defend the freedom of the press and the right of people to know.”
While inviting all the stakeholders to support the project, he said “the media is weary of government regulation, because politicians tend to have short[1]goals. We are happy to submit to peer-regulation by collaborating with civil society, business, and the profession.” Among those present at the event were Prince Nduka Obaigbena publisher of ThisDay Newspaper/NPAN life patron, Prince Dennis Sami, NPAN council[1]member and publisher of The Pilot, Mr. Frank Aigbogun, publisher of BusinessDay, Fidelis Anosike, publisher of Daily Times, Mustapha Isah, president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Chief Chris Isiguzo, president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Ms. Maureen Chigbo, president of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP)
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