Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and immediate past Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, has been announced as the keynote speaker for the 2025 annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).
The ninth edition of the conference is scheduled for Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme: “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects.”
Masari, who currently serves as Chairman of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), confirmed his participation during a courtesy visit by a GOCOP delegation led by the Deputy President and Conference Planning Committee Chair, Danlami Nmodu. The team also included the Vice President (North), Tom Chiahemen, who presented him with a copy of GOCOP’s newly published book.
In a statement on Tuesday, GOCOP Publicity Secretary, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, said Masari’s long record of public service and leadership made him an ideal fit for this year’s theme.
Masari previously served as Katsina State Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport (1991–1993), Speaker of the House of Representatives (2003–2007), and Governor of Katsina State (2015–2023). His administration was credited with improvements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and workers’ welfare, earning him national and international recognition, including the Zik Leadership Prize for Good Governance (2017) and the Sun Courage in Leadership Award (2016).
Past GOCOP conferences have featured high-profile keynote speakers, including Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese (2019); Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman (2022); and Uche Uwaleke, Professor of Capital Market Studies (2023).
Founded to strengthen journalism in the digital era, GOCOP is a professional body of 119 online news organisations led by senior journalists and editors. The group said its annual conference has become a platform for thought leadership and stakeholder engagement on national issues.
“The conference also provides sponsorship opportunities, offering visibility and recognition for brands that align with ethical journalism and responsible media practice,” the statement added.
