Emmanuel Ikpeama
Lagos, Nigeria —The Association of Proprietors of Private Media Establishments of Nigeria (APPMEN) on Saturday, October 10, 2026, inaugurated its Lagos State Council at No. 133, Idimu-Ejigbo Road, Alimosho, Lagos.
The ceremony was inaugurated virtually by the National Coordinator, Chief Precious Enebuse, who joined via Zoom from the National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his keynote address, Chief Enebuse described Lagos as the heartbeat and engine room of media in Africa.
“Today is not just another meeting. Today is history. Lagos is not just a state. Lagos is the media capital of Africa. If you can conquer media in Lagos, you have conquered media in Nigeria,” he said.
He said private media owners are the most oppressed and least protected despite creating jobs and content, stressing that APPMEN was formed to be their voice. He charged the new leadership to drive the association’s theme “Voice, Vision, Purpose”and move members from gossip journalism to development journalism through the APPMEN Institute for Communication and Media Studies, grants and corporate partnerships.
He formally inaugurated Princess Agbonifo as State Coordinator, supported by Onome Naomi Onojaefe as State Publicity Secretary, describing them as a tested leader and a digital Amazon.
In her acceptance speech, Princess Agbonifo said the day marked the end of neglect for small media owners.
“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.
She unveiled her 3-point agenda, which is on Professionalism;quarterly masterclasses on fact-checking, investigative reporting, monetization and AI tools, and self-regulation to end fake news,Protection and Prosperity
“Professionalism will give us RESPECT. Protection will give us SAFETY. Prosperity will give us SUSTAINABILITY,” she declared.
In his goodwill message, the Grand Patron described Lagos as the cradle and powerhouse of the African press, where Rev. Henry Townsend published Iwe Irohin,Nigeria’s first newspaper, in 1859.
He said over 70% of Nigeria’s private media decisions are made in Lagos and charged the Council to lead by standard, bridge traditional press with TikTokers, YouTubers and podcasters, launch a Fact-Check Hub and Rapid Response Desk, and create an APPMEN Lagos Ad Network.
He declared 10th of October 2026 as a date of perfect alignment for private media.
Investigator news reports that a communique was issued at the end of the ceremony affirming loyalty to the National Secretariat and calling on all unregistered private media proprietors in Lagos to join the association.
The event ended with a vote of thanks by Onome Naomi Onojaefe, followed by group photographs and networking
Investigator news gathered other members of the newly inaugurated Lagos Executive joined via zoom.
