By Ken Ugbechie
ABSTRACT
This chapter explores Delta State’s transition into online journalism, highlighting the state’s proactive approach to leveraging digital media.
The author discusses how The Pointer, a state-owned newspaper, has successfully adapted to online journalism, expanding its reach and audience. The chapter also examines the role of the Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on New Media, Felix Ofou, in promoting online journalism and digital literacy, and how the state government utilises online platforms to disseminate information, promote economic growth, and enhance governance.
The chapter showcases Delta State’s innovative approaches to online media and its potential for replication in other states.
Delta State was created on August 27, 1991, after the old Bendel State was split into two – Delta and Edo – by the then military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida. In those days, Bendel State had a newspaper, The Nigerian Observer. It was the newspaper of first choice among Bendelites, served daily with a rich mix of politics, economy, entertainment, and sports. The Nigerian Observer;, over the years, produced a haron ordournalists of Bendel State origin. So, when Delta was excised from Bendel, some of the journalists who plied their trade at The Nigerian Observer but hailed from Delta State returned home.
They provided the experience and expertise for the establishment of a Delta State-owned newspaper. That was how The Pointer was birthed in 1994, three years after the creation of the state.
And for over three decades since 1994, The Pointer has trudged on, marching through the blades of time; through the storms of military jackboot, overawing the treacherous turbulence of bureaucracy, especially under democratic governments. The Pointer remains one of the longest-surviving state-owned newspapers. Some other state-owned newspapers have not been lucky. They have long been consigned to the compost heap of history in Nigeria’s print media industry, famed for its high mortality rate. Many good and well-packaged newspapers have graced the media stage. Some are brilliant in form and content, some dour and unappealing, and some combative and adventurous. Yet, they all died, both the good and the ugly. But The Pointer lives.
With the dawning of online journalism (digital journalism) in Nigeria, The Pointer has moved swiftly into the online space (https://www.thepointersnewsonline.com/) while still publishing its trademark hard copy. This is in keeping with the exigency of modernity, Just so it does not go into irrelevance. Every newspaper in the world worth Its name has gone hybrid, publishing both the printed matter and online edition. Delta State government, owners of The Pointer; has realised that transitioning into online journalism has given the newspaper a booster Shot to reach a wider audience, including marketing the state to the global community of investors, tourists, and venture capitalists. The Pointer spreading into online journalism has made it possible for Deltans in the diaspora to keep abreast of developments at home.
Delta State did more than keeping The Pointer in the smart, responsive and real time online journalism space, it has, in furtherance of its mandate to educate, inform and make governance both inclusive and interactive. created the office of the Executive Assistant on New Media. This is in recognition of the unique role online journalism and social media play in disseminating information.
Felix Ofou, a well-heeled journalist and member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), heads this critical office. He explains the necessity and primary duty of his office.
“This office interfaces with GOCOP, Delta Online Publishers Forum
(DOPF), and online editors of the print media and other online publishers to ensure that activities of the state are accurately reported. Because of the spontaneous nature of online journalism, our brief is to tell our stories in simple language, which are effectively communicated through online journalists to the global audience. This has given the reportage of Delta government activities a head-start above other states, especially with the urgency with which we make information available to the online media,” Ofou said.
He attributes the success recorded by his team in the online journalism space to the commitment and support of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
“Our Governor has been supportive. As a digital, tech-minded 21st Century leader of a highly resourced and sophisticated state like Delta, Governor Oborevwori understands that information is a perishable product and is capable of going stale in a matter of hours; he has therefore been supportive of my office and matters of online journalism which has made our liaison with GOCOP and others in the online journalism ecosystem mutually beneficial,” he added.
“The CBN’s collaboration with GOCOP has been mutually beneficial, particularly in strengthening the bank’s corporate communications and public engagement strategies. ” — Central Bank of
Nigeria.
Since his appointment, Ofou has brought innovative measures to enhance how the state makes the most of online journalism: “I was appointed Executive Assistant on New Media by His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, in July 2023. We have a dedicated WhatsApp channel exclusively created for editors to have regular and fresh updates on the activities of the government. This is in addition to our online newspaper, Delta Revealed, and other social media platforms created for the dissemination of information on Delta State. We also have a YouTube channel, Delta Revealed TV, for the same objective – news dissemination. Needless to add that the State government-owned website, http://www.deltastate.gov.ng, remains a veritable tool for the dissemination of information.”
Ofou noted that the advent of online journalism and social media has had both negative and positive consequences on all strata of society in Nigeria and the world at large. While acknowledging that Delta State is no exception, he stressed that rather than being weighed down by the negatives, “we have had to harness its benefits in the education of the
masses. We hope that with greater resilience, we will continue to impact on the people using online media.”
And having realised the power of online media, the state government is leveraging this to promote digital literacy among the youth and young adults. For instance, Delta State, through the Ministry of Science and Technology, has created an Innovation Hub for the advancement of digital literacy. Six new computer hubs (centres) have been established to enhance computer skills application. In furtherance of this, skills acquisition, ICT-promotion debates, and essay writing competitions among secondary schools have also helped to bolster digital literacy in the state.
Ofou, in recognising the impact of online journalism, said Delta blazes the trail with the use of online media in promoting the economy. Delta economy is growing, including growth in IGR, attraction of investors in both the primary and service sectors and online journalism has been at the forefront of driving this growth, he said.
Continuing, he added that the state has an effective social register database from which beneficiaries for empowerment are drawn. Placement for skills acquisition, advertisement for vacancies, and collation of student names for payment of bursary are equally done, taking advantage of online and social media platforms. This has reduced human intrusion with its attendant bias and manipulation to the barest minimum, and has saved huge costs.
On the general impact of online journalism on the state, he concluded thus: “As in most states in Nigeria, Delta is not insulated from the activities of quacks that have permeated online journalism. The search for instant gratification has also not helped matters. Barely literate persons have taken to online publishing with no identifiable objective. But we are assured of the plethora of mainstream platforms like those of GOCOP members with qualified personnel, which help to dwarf the negative effect of the quacks.
We hope that effective regulation will be put in place without compromising free speech, citizen journalism, and online journalism, which remain a fulcrum of true democracy.”
*Excerpt from the book, NIGERIA MEDIA RENAISSANCE as published by the Guild of Online Corporate Publishers, GOCOP
