Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, inducted seven new members into its fold.
Emerald Nigeria reports that the induction ceremony was held at the Ministry of Information conference hall with seven new members joining the forum as news publishers.
In his opening remarks, DOPF chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli noted that the forum has a rich history of excellence, therefore, it is the collective duty of all members to uphold the ethics of the journalism profession.
While advising the new inductees to always carry themselves as Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of their different organisations, Mr Enebeli pleaded that members should continue to pursue one aim.
The Vice chairman, Deacon Chukwudi Abiandu, while responding said that DOPF is not an affiliate of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), neither it’s a chapel of the NUJ, but a forum of entrepreneurs in the business of online newspaper publishing.
“We are employers of labour, we are autonomous. Our operation is backed up by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended”.
The inductees were the Publisher of Pebnews, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, who is the spokesperson of an ex-war lord in the Niger Delta region, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo); Mr Oweh Julius, former News Editor of Pointer Newspaper and now the Publisher of The Pond News; Mr Jikeme Smart, Publisher of Fidelity Reporters and Ogwuda Austin, a one-time Correspondent of Vanguard Newspaper and currently the Publisher of The Town Hall.
Others were Mr Daniel Oji, Publisher of Actual News, Mr Celestine Ukah, Publisher of Area News, and Mrs Christy Aboghe, Publisher of The Hill Nigeria.
As part of strategies to boost the media business of the publishers, two financial institutions, the Bank of Industry (BoI) and Premium Trust Bank were invited to talk to members on how to raise funds to grow the publishing outfits.
Representatives of both banks were present at the induction ground where they delivered lectures on possibilities and eligibility criteria to raise funds through loans to boost either their publishing business or other ventures they may deem necessary.
