The Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) has conferred an Award of Excellence on the senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, while seeking a strategic partnership with his office to promote ethical journalism, media professionalism and broader visibility for legislative activities.
The award was presented during a courtesy visit by the Guild’s National Executive Council, led by its National President, Akpovoke Otiti, to Dafinone’s office at the National Assembly.
According to the Guild, the visit was aimed at introducing its leadership, exploring areas of collaboration, seeking support for its programmes and honouring the senator for what it described as his legislative contributions, leadership and service to national development.
Speaking during the visit, Otiti described GOMEP-NG as a professional body committed to ethical journalism, responsible online publishing and the promotion of good governance.
He said the Guild has more than 270 members spread across the 36 states of the federation, with its National Executive Council representing the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Otiti commended Dafinone’s representation of Delta Central and expressed the Guild’s desire to establish a partnership that would strengthen democratic governance through responsible media engagement.
He noted that sustaining professional journalism requires the support of individuals and institutions committed to strengthening democratic values and promoting ethical standards in the media.
Also speaking, the Guild’s National Organising Secretary, Ikechi Enwereji, called for closer collaboration between GOMEP-NG and the senator’s office, arguing that many of Dafinone’s legislative activities and constituency interventions had not received adequate public attention.
He said the Guild’s nationwide network of online publishers could help improve public awareness of the senator’s activities and constituency engagements.
Responding, Dafinone congratulated the Guild’s newly elected leadership and expressed confidence in its ability to advance professionalism and credibility within Nigeria’s online media space.
He described the visit as the beginning of what could become a productive partnership between his office and the organisation.
On the Guild’s request for financial support towards the renewal of its national secretariat, the senator said the appeal would be considered, although political office holders were increasingly faced with competing financial obligations as preparations for another election cycle gathered momentum.
He encouraged the organisation to identify practical areas of collaboration that would strengthen its operations without necessarily requiring substantial financial commitments.
Dafinone also acknowledged receiving the Guild’s proposal seeking legislative recognition and promised to study the document in consultation with his legislative and communications advisers before determining appropriate steps.
Reflecting on his three years in the Senate, the lawmaker said his legislative agenda had centred on human capital development, youth empowerment, women’s economic inclusion and employment generation.
He disclosed that his appointment as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character had expanded opportunities to facilitate employment for qualified constituents, adding that a number of youths from Delta Central had already secured federal appointments through his interventions.
The senator said unemployment and poverty remained pressing national challenges, urging young Nigerians to embrace entrepreneurship, vocational skills and agriculture alongside the pursuit of white-collar employment.
Commenting on the Federal Government’s economic reforms, Dafinone described President Bola Tinubu’s policies as difficult but necessary, expressing optimism that their long-term benefits would become evident despite the current economic challenges facing many Nigerians.
He maintained that the ultimate measure of the reforms would be their impact on citizens’ living conditions, including their ability to afford basic necessities and improve their standard of living.
On local government autonomy, Dafinone said while the legal framework had been established, effective implementation would require time as democratic institutions continued to evolve.
The senator also reaffirmed his commitment to constructive engagement with constituents, saying public feedback had informed some of his interventions, including efforts to revitalise the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) station in Sapele.
He urged public office holders to remain focused on service delivery while welcoming constructive criticism that could improve governance.
The visit culminated in the presentation of GOMEP-NG’s Award of Excellence to Dafinone in recognition of his legislative performance and public service.
Receiving the award, the senator described the recognition as both humbling and motivating, pledging to remain committed to serving his constituents and contributing to national development.
