APPMEN Inaugurates Lagos Council, Unveils Plan to Protect and Empower Private Media Owners
LAGOS, Nigeria — The Association of Proprietors of Private Media Establishment of Nigeria (APPMEN) has inaugurated its Lagos State Council, with a commitment to strengthen professionalism, protect media practitioners and improve the financial sustainability of private media businesses.
The inauguration, held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at No. 133, Idimu-Ejigbo Road, Alimosho, Lagos, brought together proprietors of private media establishments and other stakeholders in the media industry.
The National Coordinator of APPMEN, Chief Precious Enebuse, formally inaugurated the council virtually from the association’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
Describing the occasion as a historic milestone, Enebuse said Lagos remained central to the growth and development of Nigeria’s private media industry.
“Today is not just another meeting. Today is history. For the first time since the formation of APPMEN, we are inaugurating our engine room, our heartbeat, our headquarters of media in Africa — Lagos State Council,” he said.
Enebuse lamented the challenges facing private media owners, noting that while they invest in platforms, employ staff and produce content, many lack adequate representation and protection.
He charged the new leadership, led by Princess Agbonifo as State Coordinator, to unite media proprietors and create opportunities for professional development and business growth.
He also identified Onome Naomi Onojaefe as a key member of the leadership team, describing her as a digital media advocate who would support the council’s activities.
Speaking on the theme, “Voice, Vision, Purpose,” Enebuse urged the council to promote development journalism, strengthen the collective voice of private media operators and facilitate training, grants and corporate partnerships through the APPMEN Institute for Communication and Media Studies.
Agbonifo Unveils Three-Point Agenda
In her acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated State Coordinator, Princess Agbonifo, described the occasion as a collective achievement rather than an individual victory.
“I know the pain of being a private media owner in Lagos — buying data with your last money and still being called ‘small blogger.’ Today, that story ends. Today, APPMEN Lagos begins,” she said.
Agbonifo unveiled a three-point agenda centred on Professionalism, Protection and Prosperity, which she described as the foundation for building a stronger and more sustainable private media industry.
Under professionalism, she promised quarterly masterclasses in fact-checking, investigative reporting, content monetisation and artificial intelligence tools through the APPMEN Institute for Communication and Media Studies.
She also pledged to promote self-regulation and responsible journalism as part of efforts to combat misinformation and fake news.
On protection, Agbonifo announced plans to establish a Rapid Response Desk to assist members facing harassment, threats or intimidation in the course of their professional duties.
She said the council would also engage the Lagos State Government, the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) on issues affecting the safety and welfare of private media practitioners.
For prosperity, the coordinator disclosed plans to lead engagements with banks, telecommunications companies, real estate businesses and other corporate organisations to secure advertising opportunities for members.
She also announced plans to establish an APPMEN Lagos Cooperative as a branch of the national structure, with a focus on facilitating access to digital monetisation opportunities, grants and loans.
Agbonifo set a target for every financially active member to have benefited financially from the council’s activities by October 2027.
“Professionalism will give us respect. Protection will give us safety. Prosperity will give us sustainability,” she declared.
Grand Patron Calls for Higher Standards
In his goodwill message, the Grand Patron described Lagos as the cradle and powerhouse of the African press, recalling the establishment of Iwe Irohin by Reverend Henry Townsend in 1859 as a landmark in Nigeria’s newspaper history.
He urged the newly inaugurated council to establish high professional standards, bridge the gap between traditional and digital media, strengthen fact-checking and develop collective advertising opportunities for members.
Among his recommendations were the introduction of an APPMEN Certified Seal, the establishment of a Lagos Fact-Check Hub and Rapid Response Desk, and the creation of an APPMEN Lagos Ad Network.
He also encouraged the association to embrace emerging media practitioners, including content creators, YouTubers, podcasters and other digital publishers, while maintaining the standards associated with responsible journalism.
According to him, collective action would give private media operators greater bargaining power and improve their access to advertising revenue.
Council Issues Communiqué
At the end of the inauguration, the Lagos State Council issued a communiqué affirming its commitment to the APPMEN National Secretariat and the implementation of the three-point agenda.
The council also called on unregistered private media proprietors operating in Lagos State to join the association and participate in efforts to strengthen the industry.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the State Publicity Secretary, Onome Naomi Onojaefe, followed by group photographs and networking among participants.
The inauguration marks the beginning of a new phase for APPMEN in Lagos, with the council expected to focus on professional development, the welfare of media practitioners and the creation of sustainable business opportunities for private media owners.
By Esther Osazuwa | @VONNews
