The Association of Proprietors of Private Media Establishment of Nigeria (APPMEN) has postponed its planned two-day Obudu Cattle Ranch Resort Retreat for media proprietors and content creators, citing prevailing security concerns in parts of the country.
The retreat, which was earlier scheduled to hold from July 9 to 11, 2026, in Cross River State, will now be replaced with a one-day national conference slated for Thursday, September 24, 2026, in Abuja.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Chairman of the Planning Committee and APPMEN FCT Council Coordinator, Mr. Felix Onuah.
According to the association, the decision followed a careful assessment of the nation’s security situation, stressing that the safety and well-being of its members, participants and stakeholders remain paramount.
“As proprietors of private media committed to truth and national interest, the safety and well-being of our members and participants remain our highest priority,” the statement said.
APPMEN also expressed solidarity with Nigerians affected by insecurity, reaffirming its commitment to promoting peace, stability and responsible media leadership across the country.
The rescheduled event, to be hosted by the APPMEN FCT Abuja Council, will be held under the theme, “APPMEN: Voice, Vision, Purpose.”
Organisers said the conference would feature the investiture of the association’s Grand Patron, Honorary National Patrons and ambassadors of The Nigeria We Want (TNWW) initiative.
The event will also include National Recognition Awards for distinguished Nigerians whose contributions have advanced national development across various sectors of the economy.
In addition, media owners and content creators are expected to participate in strategic engagements aimed at promoting responsible storytelling and shaping national narratives that foster unity, development and patriotism.
To ensure seamless planning, APPMEN named Mr. Felix Onuah as Chairman of the Planning Committee, while Pastor Bossey Edward Idogho will serve as Secretary and Elder David Omoru as a committee member. The association said its National Secretariat would coordinate and supervise all activities leading to the conference.
The committee members have pledged to deliver a successful event that will further strengthen collaboration within Nigeria’s private media industry.
APPMEN assured registered participants and partners that all previous registrations and partnerships secured for the Obudu Retreat would remain valid and automatically transfer to the Abuja conference.
The association added that details regarding the conference venue, accreditation process and participation guidelines would be announced by the Planning Committee in due course.
Reiterating its commitment to strengthening private media and promoting responsible communication, APPMEN called on media stakeholders, partners and content creators across the country to participate in the Abuja conference as it seeks to advance what it described as “a new agenda for patriotic communication.
