The President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, Maureen Chigbo, has expressed gratitude to the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for hosting the association’s 2024 Annual General Conference.
The president of GOCOP heaped praises on Ododo and his media managers in her welcome address on October 3, 2024 during the AGC in Lokoja.
Chigbo said: “Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I warmly welcome you all to this 8th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).
“The first we are having hosted by the government of any state in the country.
“We are indeed happy that His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State, provided a comfortable ambiance at this Reverton Hotel in Lokoja, the confluence State where the historic and iconic event of River Benue and River Niger joined.
“I thank you and your officials who worked tirelessly to ensure the two-day meeting of GOCOP has been going on peacefully.
“May God grant you and your team of cabinet members and media and information managers both online and mainstream the wisdom, good health of mind and body and strength to continue to lift Kogi State to greater heights.”
Chigbo also thanked the media managers of the Kogi State Government, including the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo; Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isaac; and a Consultant, Yemi Kolapo.
The investigative publisher, who took time to recognise the speakers and discussants at the 8th AGF, with the theme: “Nigeria: Tackling Insecurity, Power Deficit, and Transitioning to Digital Economy,” also acknowledge the presence of two of her predecessors: Musikilu Mojeed, the Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times, and Dotun Oladipo, the Managing Editor of The Eagle Online.
She also heaped praises on members of the Executive Committee of GOCOP and Conference Planning Committee.
She said: “Your Excellencies, Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, please permit me to duly acknowledge the presence of my predecessors – President Emeritus Mojeed Musikilu and President Emeritus Dotun Oladipo, Publisher of The Eagle Online. Mr. Musikilu is the no-nonsense chairman of the screening committee, while Mr. Oladipo is the chairman of the GOCOP Ombudsman/Disciplinary Committee.
“Both have continued to serve GOCOP very well even after the expiration of the tenure. You are warmly welcome….
“Your excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen, this conference would not have been possible without the tireless effort of the 18-member planning committee led by Chairman Danlami Nmodu, mni, who is the Deputy President of GOCOP, and Secretary Olumide Iyanda (Olumighty), also the Assistant General Secretary of GOCOP.
“My special thanks go to Our President Emeritus, Mr. Dotun Oladipo, who brokered the hosting deal as well as all the Kogi State information managers and government officials who worked day and night to ensure the success of today’s event.
“In no particular order – Mrs. Yemi Kolapo, Commissioner of Information, Kingsley Fanwo, and the Special Adviser on Media, thank you very much.”
Chigbo advised new members before their induction to avoid things that could tarnish the image of the association.
She said GOCOP is a professional organisation that would not tolerate the breaching of its rules and regulations.
She said: “I welcome all GOCOP aspiring members who will be inducted here today.
“I can only enjoin you that being a member of GOCOP comes with a lot of responsibility as the small and businesses enterprises of the online community and in our bid to sanitise online publishing and keep it free from fake news as we look for positive ways to sustain our businesses.
“Please note that GOCOP is a peer-review body that can help build your capacity to run your small-scale online publishing business well.
“It is not an advert canvassing entity for publishers.
“But we provide the link between you and those in a position to advertise and the rest is left for you to follow.
“As I look at the galaxy of our speakers this morning, they belong to the group of people who can support our businesses positively.
“And I need not tell you what next to do to get their support.
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“Your Excellency, may I let you and our August guests here today and the entire Kogi people that our new members went through a very rigorous selection process in their journey to become GOCOP members.
“Many applied but only a few – 16 applicants out of more than 50 applicants, were chosen.
“As you are inducted today as GOCOP members, I felicitate and wish you the very best as members.
“In addition, please note that there will be a debriefing immediately after your induction with Exco members to guide you properly in GOCOP traditions and expectations of you and also answer any question that bugs your mind.”
The president of GOCOP then thanked the partners of the association.
Chigbo said: “I also thank all the special guests here and representatives of NUJ, NIPR, the Chairman, the Board of Trustees of GOCOP, and all GOCOP members who are now working in the corporate and public institutions who supported this conference, especially those who have used their good offices to give our businesses succour.
“Chief Femi Soneye of the NNPCL, Horatius Egua, thank you.
“My deep appreciation also goes to all State Governments – Delta, Lagos, Osun, and the companies and organisations who have supported us in hosting this conference.
“I thank and welcome you all. God bless your various businesses so you can support us more in the future.”
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