Veteran politician and elder statesman, Chief Bode George, has urged members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) to champion the restoration of credibility and ethical standards in Nigeria’s media landscape.
Speaking at the 9th Annual GOCOP Conference held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, George stressed the urgent need for the Guild to confront the twin challenges of fake news and the infiltration of untrained individuals posing as journalists.
The conference, themed “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects,” brought together media professionals, policymakers, and thought leaders to examine the role of journalism in strengthening governance and public trust.
Chief George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lamented the erosion of professionalism in the digital space but lauded GOCOP for its unwavering commitment to responsible reporting and its efforts to uphold integrity within the online media community.
“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 stated.
The elder statesman urged the Nigerian government to improve the lives of young citizens who, he lamented, have become victims of poor governance.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s diverse resources and human potential should be harnessed responsibly for national progress.
According to him, “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.”
Chief George further warned against any calls for military intervention, insisting that such moves would derail the nation’s democratic progress.
He stressed that the civilian system, despite its imperfections, provides checks and balances through its three arms of government, unlike the military, which centralizes authority.
He also called for a comprehensive review of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and restore public confidence in the electoral process.
Chief George concluded by urging journalists to continue upholding truth, ethics, and patriotism, reminding them that credible journalism remains a pillar of democracy and national development.
