Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) on Tuesday November 21, 2023 inducted seven new members into the forum
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 are, Mr Oweh Julius, publisher of The Pond News, Mr Jikeme Smart, publisher of Fidelity Reporters, Ogwuda Austin, publisher of The Town Hall and Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, publisher of Pebnews.
Others are Mr. Daniel Oji, publisher of Actual News, Mr. Celestine Ukah, publisher of Area News, and Mrs. Christy Aboghe, publisher of The Hill Nigeria.
The oath of allegiance was administered by Secretary to the Board of Trustees (BoT) and Chairman of admission committee, Mr. Albert Ograka, publisher of Blank NEWS Online. He was accompanied by the Secretary General of DOPF, Mr. Shedrack Onitsha, publisher of The Advocate.
As part of strategies to boost media business of the publishers, two financial institutions, Bank of Industry (BoI) and Premium Trust Bank were invited to talk to members on how 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 deem necessary.
DOPF members from across the country and the state were in attendance.
