Lagos, Nigeria A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has called on Nigerian journalists, particularly members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), to take the lead in combating the spread of fake news and curbing unprofessional journalism in the digital media space.
Chief George made this appeal during the 9th Annual GOCOP Conference, held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects.”
Expressing concern over the increasing presence of untrained individuals posing as journalists, the PDP stalwart commended GOCOP for maintaining professional standards, integrity, and credibility in the Nigerian online media industry.
“I am extremely happy that GOCOP continues to grow stronger despite the odds. I have followed your activities since inception, and I am proud to be associated with a body of credible professionals,” he said.
Call for Responsible Leadership and National Development
Chief George urged the Nigerian government to address the economic and social challenges affecting young citizens, noting that many have become victims of poor governance and unemployment.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s abundant human and natural resources must be utilized responsibly to achieve sustainable national growth.
“There is no part of Nigeria that is not endowed. True democracy means utilizing resources for the benefit of the people. Leaders must remember that power is transient and that posterity will judge their actions,” he stated.
Warning Against Military Takeover and Advocacy for Democratic Reform
The elder statesman cautioned against any calls for a military coup, warning that such actions would undermine Nigeria’s democratic stability and reverse years of progress.
He argued that, despite its flaws, civilian rule allows for checks and balances through the executive, legislative, and judicial arms, unlike the military regime, which concentrates power in one hand.
Chief George also advocated for a comprehensive reform of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process and rebuild public confidence in democracy.
Journalism as a Pillar of Democracy
In his closing remarks, the PDP leader encouraged journalists to continue upholding truth, ethics, patriotism, and professionalism, describing credible journalism as a vital pillar for democracy, good governance, and national unity.
“Journalists must remain watchdogs of society. Upholding truth and integrity in reporting is the greatest service you can offer to our democracy,” he concluded.
