Imoke Emerges Chairman as Two Royal Fathers Become Grand, National Patrons
The Association of Proprietors of Private Media Establishment of Nigeria (APPMEN) has formally constituted and inaugurated its Council of Patrons, National Advisory Council (NAC) and The Nigeria We Want Ambassadors.
The investiture, held on September 24, 2026, in Abuja, marked what the association described as a significant step towards strengthening private media development, recognition and sustainability in Nigeria.
Former Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, emerged Chairman of the Council of Patrons and National Patron.
The Odyong Nyankpa II, His Royal Highness Amb. Dr. Joel Sabo Aninge, PhD, MFR, was installed as Grand Patron, while the Emir of Katagum, His Royal Highness Amb. Alh. Baba Umar Faruq II, CFR, became National Patron.
The National Advisory Council is chaired by Dr. Otive Igbuzor, a development expert and founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD).
Igbuzor, who also served as Chief of Staff to the Deputy President of the Senate in the Ninth Assembly, is expected to lead
the council in providing policy and intellectual direction to the association.
Speaking on the development, APPMEN National Coordinator and Convener of The Nigeria We Want Project, Chief Precious Enebuse, said the new structure was designed to provide institutional support and long-term sustainability for private media proprietors and digital content creators.
“For long, private media proprietors in Nigeria have operated without institutional cover, national recognition or a sustainable structure.
“What we have done with this Council is to give APPMEN royal legitimacy, political guidance and intellectual depth.
“This Council is not about any single issue. It is about three things: building the impact of private media as a tool for national development, securing national recognition for APPMEN as a critical stakeholder in the Nigerian project, and ensuring the sustenance of this association beyond our generation,” Enebuse said.
He expressed appreciation to Imoke and the two royal fathers for accepting to provide leadership and guidance to the association.
Enebuse further explained that the Council of Patrons would serve as the moral and strategic compass of APPMEN, while the National Advisory Council would focus on policy, research and strategic engagements with government, development partners and global platforms.
According to him, the development represents a new phase for APPMEN as it seeks to strengthen the role of private media in national development.
APPMEN is the umbrella body for private media owners and digital content creators in Nigeria, with a focus on professionalism, press freedom, digital economy advocacy and national development through its flagship initiative, The Nigeria We Want Project.
