By Yabagi Muhammed
As part of efforts to coordinate and standardize the operations of online journalism in Kogi state, practitioners have come together to elect individuals to pilot their affairs on pro tempo basis for the next six months. The body is called i-Reporters Association of Kogi State (i-RAKS).
They have, in their inaugural meeting, which they had started on some online platform, elected Mr. Opeyemi Owoeye, the editor of Kogi Reports as chairman. Also elected was Ambassador Yunusa Gabriel Enemali, while three persons also emerged as vice chairmen for east, west and central. Comrade Martins Enebe (Vice Chairman West), Isyak Adeiza Alex (Central) and Alhaji Musa Tanimu Nasidi (Vice Chairman, West).
Others include: Comrade Umar Yakubu Ali, General Secretary; Mohammed Yabagi, Treasurer; Atuluku Victor Levi (Publicity Secretary) and Wale Mustapha (Auditor). Speaking after the election, the chairman, Mr. Opeyemi Owoeye called on online reporters in Kogi state to rededicate themselves to their craft, saying that their type of journalism has come to stay.
According to him, even the traditional media such as Radio, television, newspapers and others have realised the importance of the new media, hence their resolve to also have their presence there. He said in few years from now, online presence would become mandatory for virtually all media platforms and outlets, and called on the public to accord necessary respect to practitioners.
In his words: “Online journalism has come to stay. Even those practicing in both hard copy newspapers and magazines as well as others, will come back to embrace the online form of journalism practice. To break news grounds and make the news available to the public on virtual and on demand is through online reporting.”
