The President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Ms. Maureen Chigbo, has stated that the organization’s primary objective is to sanitize the online media space and establish standards for the industry.
Speaking at the launch of GOCOP’s maiden publication, “Nigeria Media Renaissance: GOCOP Perspectives on Online Publishing,” and a fundraising event for the GOCOP Media Center in Abuja,
Chigbo emphasized the need for collaboration with stakeholders to achieve this goal.
As a group of professional journalists with over two decades of experience in mainstream media, GOCOP is committed to promoting ethical online publishing practices.
Chigbo noted that the organization’s members are dedicated to upholding the principles of truth, fairness, and balanced reporting and have introduced a self-regulatory mechanism to ensure compliance.
To maintain high standards, GOCOP has established several committees, including a Disciplinary Committee and an Ombudsman, to address public complaints and ensure accountability.
Chigbo stressed that the organization takes its self-regulation responsibility seriously and is committed to weeding out unprofessional conduct.
The GOCOP President acknowledged the contributions of members, contributors, and supporters, including Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of PREMIUM TIMES, who wrote the foreword to the book as well as the reviewer, and president, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku.
She also expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, state governments, institutions, and corporate organizations for their support.
Chigbo appealed for generous donations to strengthen GOCOP and build the Guild’s Media Centre, which will empower members to run their businesses profitably.
She also urged public relations practitioners, advertisers, governments, and civil society organizations to support GOCOP businesses, emphasizing the critical role that online media plays in building a society where justice, peace, and individual rights are respected.
According to her, by promoting ethical online publishing practices and collaborating with stakeholders, GOCOP aims to establish itself as a leading voice in the online media industry and contribute to the growth and development of the sector.
Information Minister, NIPR President Commend GOCOP
Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Dr. Ike Neliaku, President of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and others have commended GOCOP during the launch.
Those who graced the event cut across diverse socio-economic and political vocations such as governance and politics, government institutions and agencies, energy (oil and gas), security agencies, transport sector, industrial sector, media, private sector, reputation managers, among others.
They commended GOCOP for the feat, just as the guests recommended the book to all, saying that GOCOP has set the pace and standard in online publishing.
The occasion was chaired by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Idris, while the book reviewer was Dr. Ike Neliaku, President of NIPR.
Other guests include Presidential spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, former Managing Director of Champion newspapers, Mr. Emma Agu; Mr. Haruna Suleman, NIPR Council member; Senior Special Assistant to the President on media, Temitope Ajayi, Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi; and representative of Shell, Tony Ogedengbe.
The Yobe state Commissioner for information, Hon. Abdullahi Bego, who represented Governor Mai Mala Buni; Senior Special Assistant to the President, Tope Ajayi; NNPC Limited Group Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye; Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ali M. Ali; and the Managing Director, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Alhaji Jibrin Ndace were among the dignitaries.
Also present were the General Counsel of Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Felix Obiamalu, who represented the CEO, NFIU, Hafsat Abubakar Bakari; United Nigeria Airline Spokesman, Achileus Uchegbu, Nigerian Communications Commission Head of Public Affairs, Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, accompanied by other management staff of the department; Assistant Comptroller of Customs Aliyu Maiwada representing the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; Head of Press unit National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Manzo Ezekiel, who represented the NEMA Director General, Mrs Zubaida Umar.
The event was also graced by a strong contingent from academia, including the Provost of Anti-Corruption Academy, Prof. Desmond Okocha; Dean of Faculty of Media and Communication Studies, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, Prof. Mel Onobe and Dr. Akorege of Bingham University, respectively.
Others are former Special Adviser, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, Torofeek Folani; Nigeria Air Force (NAF) represented by Air Commodore B.Y. Zakari; NIPR Council member, Dr. Ahmad Sajoh; Angola Embassy represented by Lilas Orlov, NIPR Governing Council member, Mrs Olubunmi Badejo.
Mr. Niran Adedokun, Media consultant, Mr. Akpandem James, Media consultant, Former Director SMEDAN, Levi Anyikwa, Haruna Sulemain, NIPR Council member; Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon, Mr. Bola Fashina, Chief of Staff to the Chairman/CEO, National Quality Council; Dr. Kole Shettima, Africa Director Macarthur Foundation, Alhaji Hakeem Bello, former Media Adviser to Babatunde Fashola, and members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, led by Dr. Iyobosa Uwuigiaren, secretary of the Guild.
