Danlami Nmodu, GOCOP president, signed on behalf of the Guild, while Lanre Arogundade, ICP’s executive director, signed on behalf of ICP. Monday’s ceremony comes after the IPC’s consultative session with GOCOP leadership held in Abuja on Friday, May 30^th.

In his brief remarks before the MoU signing, Nmodu, said GOCOP’s decision to collaborate with the IPC formed part of the Guild’s commitment to promoting inclusiveness and gender equality in Nigeria.

He recalled that the collaboration between GOCOP and IPC commenced during the tenure of its first female president, Maureen Chigbo, adding that under his leadership, the Guild will fully implement the MoU as part of its pledge to improve the visibility of women and other minority groups, such as Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), in politics and governance.

He assured that the leadership of GOCOP will spearhead the engagement of women, promote women’s voices and also focus on the sensitisation of female voters on politics, governance, accountability and transparency

Speaking on promoting trust in the electoral process, Nmodu, stated that to promote the trust of citizens, elected public office-holders must meet the expectations of the electorate.

He also assured that GOCOP members will prioritise the reportage of the implementation of the manifesto of elected candidates as well as the promises made by them during campaigns.

“We believe that the signing of this MoU is coming at the right time, we’ve just had a change of leadership. The new executive is determined to ensure that this partnership between GOCOP and IPC works.

“At GOCOP, we are committed to deepening the reportage of gender issues. We are determined to ensure that we engage, sensitise and enlighten women on elections, governance and other issues of national importance. All of these are to ensure that we widen the scope of female participation in all spheres of society”, Nmodu said.

Lanre Arogundade, in his remarks, explained that the MoUs signed with GOCOP and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) are targeted at ensuring inclusivity, accountability and transparency in the electoral process.

He called on GOCOP and NAWOJ to lead the push for impartial election monitoring and reportage, adding that the media should also scrutinise elected government officials, taking them to task on campaign promises.

He said:

“As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, discussions regarding electoral trust and stakeholder confidence have become increasingly prominent. A critical factor in the discourse is the understanding that the integrity of any election is determined not only by its final outcomes, but also by the process that precedes them-including voter registration, vote collation and the subsequent announcement of results”.

Earlier in her speech, Aisha Bura Ibrahim, the national chairperson of NAWOJ, expressed the readiness of the Association to amplify the position of women in politics and governance.

Ibrahim called for credible elections even as she reiterated NAWOJ’s commitment to improving the reportage of issues affecting women.

She stated the need to train and retrain female journalists, improve newsroom management to expand the opportunities for female reporters as we all the widening of access to platforms such as the agreement between NAWOJ and IPC presented.

She said:

“NAWOJ insists that inclusive elections are trusted elections. Women must be visible as voters, candidates, election observers, and commentators. By amplifying women’s voices, NAWOJ promotes broader social trust and legitimacy in democracy.

“NAWOJ urges electoral bodies, security agencies, and political parties to maintain openness, fairness, and communication with the public. Transparency in vote counting, result transmission, and dispute resolution is essential for restoring public confidence”.

Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who also spoke at the event, commended IPC, GOCOP and NAWOJ for taking the bold step to increase the visibility of women in the media.

He called on the media to stand on the side of the people and not to serve as the megaphone of the government.

He maintained that the media must serve as the compass to guide the nation, especially in critical moments such as the general elections.

SP Orvenonne Ikwen, the Strategic Communications Officer, Force Public Relations Department, Force Headquarters, who represented the Nigeria Police Force at the meeting, said the police will collaborate with the media to deliver on a peaceful and credible election come 2027.

According to the statement signed by Kemi Yesufu, publicity secretary of GOCOP, stakeholders were also presented with IPC’s report on Safeguarding Electoral Integrity For Democratic Consolidation. The report is a component of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) as executed by IPC.

“A Leader is one, who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way” – John C. Maxwell.

Maureen Chigbo, the publisher and Editor of Realnews Magazine, Nigeria’s pioneer online Magazine is the first female and 4th President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).

She assumed office on the 3rd of October 2021 after a keenly contested election during the Guild’s 4th Annual General Meeting held at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

GOCOP was established to ensure that Online Publishers upheld the tenets of journalism, and the association now boasts more than 104 members.

The Guild’s Founding members and Emeritus Presidents include Malachi Agbo of TheCitizen, Musikilu Mojeed of Premium Times and Dotun Oladipo of the Eagle Online.

In an acceptance speech after her election, Maureen had promised to reposition the association and promote the interests of its members.

She has demonstrated that she is a good manager and a leader with a vision who values and nurtures human relationships.

One of the innovations introduced by Maureen is celebrating Guild members on their birthdays and presenting them with cakes, no matter their location.

She would follow up with a telephone call to the celebrant and extend best wishes to their families.

This annual gesture has gone a long way in building love, trust, confidence and strong relationships among Guild members.

Before Maureen’s tenure, the Guild had functioned without an office, but under her watch, the association now has a befitting office accommodation in Lagos.

The Guild’s membership has also increased from 80 to more than 104 and counting, with prospective members going through rigorous vetting before admission.

The Association also has an active website, while GOCOP members have continued to acquit themselves creditably, with some bagging international, federal and state government appointments/positions, thereby raising its public profile.

The Guild’s Pioneer President, Malachi Agbo is now the Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication in Enugu State, and his successor at GOCOP, Musikilu Mojeed is the President of the International Press Institute (IPI).

Similarly, Femi Soneye, Publisher of online Per Seconds News has landed an appointment as Chief of Corporate Communications, at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Rasheed Olawale of Sahel Standard is the Chief Press Secretary to the Osun state Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and this writer, Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim of August24news.com, has been appointed Senior Special Assistant on Media and Digital Communications to the Chairman of the Lagos Island East Council.

The Maureen-led GOCOP Executive has continued to secure advertisements and partnership support from multinational companies and federal government agencies for association members.

There have also been increased partnership collaborations between GOCOP and public and private sector organisations, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, the NNPCL, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Many who have interacted with Maureen describe her as a good listener, a strategist, an astute administrator, a motivational speaker, a mentor and an unassuming great thinker, who treats others with love, respect, dignity and honour.

Maureen’s exemplary leadership has positively impacted the operations of the Guild, especially in accountability and financial management.

In an interview with this writer, the soft-spoken GOCOP President insisted that all achievements by the association during her tenure could not have been possible without the guidance of God, her family, past leaders of the association and the cooperation of association members.

Commenting on Maureen’s achievements as GOCOP President, Mr Musbau Rasak, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of The Gazzelle News.com, said Maureen’s “leadership and management style,” qualifies her for higher responsibilities including federal appointments.

“She will perform excellently wherever she finds herself. Her records and achievements as GOCOP President are indications that she is a good administrator and a leader worthy of emulation,” declared Rasak, a former Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Another Guild member, Mr. Idumonza Isidahomhen, Publisher of Openlife Magazine said Maureen has brought “a motherly disposition to the GOCOP presidency.”

“She identifies with everyone in times of joy and pain. She prays and supports everyone in all seasons,” Isidahomhen said, adding: “History will be kind to her as a leader, patriot and a Sweet Mother.”

Echoing Isidahomhen’s sentiment, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Founder of Penpushing Media said he first came in contact with Maureen during her first term inauguration as GOCOP President, describing her as “a man in a woman’s skin,” who has illustrated the saying that what a man can do a woman can do better.

Kayode-Adedeji listed Maureen’s leadership qualities as “her proactive nature, commitment to getting results and providing food on the table for association members through her reliable contacts and integrity.”

Continuing he said “She (Maureen) is not power-drunk, but always believes in the peaceful resolution of issues. Honestly, if our (GOCOP), constitution allows 3rd term, I would have sponsored Maureen because she is a responsible and reliable leader. I pray we get a successor of her qualities.”

For his part, the Editor-in-chief and Publisher of Sliver News, Mr Ignatius Chukwu, said: I joined (GOCOP) a few years ago and I have watched (Maureen) carry on with a lot of energy for welfare, ethics, and aspiration for building a body of journalists that would be different.”

“Another amazing and unique attitude I found about our president was the day she stepped out to dance in a competition last year…”

“She also stepped in for me when my wife was dying last year. I will encourage her to conclude the medical scheme for GOCOP members and explore the possibility of getting gadgets such as recorders and laptops for members to facilitate their work,” Chukwu added.

Maureen’s colleagues on the GOCOP Executive Committee have nothing but commendation for the president.

Mallam Danlami Nmodu, the Association Deputy President and Chairman of the 2024 Conference Planning Committee said: “Maureen is passionate about GOCOP and its members. She has been keen to see that things work well within the Guild, she deserves encouragement, commendation and support.”

Another member, who wishes to remain anonymous said:

“Maureen would win her Leadership Personality of the Year if she and her Exco members could use their good offices to procure a new bus for the Association and set up a support scheme for late members of the Guild.”

Membership of the Guild is a collection of editors and senior journalists who have distinguished themselves in the print and electronic media.

It is a non-governmental, non-partisan, and non-profit organisation for the highest level of media professionals in online publishing.

Maureen, a devout Christian, loves to render humanitarian services and relates with others irrespective of age, gender, tribe, faith, creed or ethnicity.

On behalf of myself, the Management and staff of August24news.com and its sister YouTube channel August24news TV, we wish Maureen success in her future endeavours after GOCOP presidency.

Maureen’s steadfast commitment to seeking justice and transformational changes in Nigeria’s online media is inspirational.

Her work resonates with many who aspire to foster transparency and equitable society. Her voice is crucial, especially at this critical stage, when quacks are trying hard to hijack online publishing space in the country.

Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim, a Senior Special Assistant to Lagos Island East Council Chairman on Media and Digital Communications,also a member of GOCOP and Publisher of August24news.com