Led by Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, the President of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, the Press is opening up.

On the platform of the Nigerian Press Organisation, NPO, which represents the collective weight of the NPAN, the Nigeria Guild of Editors, Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, Nigerian Union of Journalists and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, it broke the “ungolden” silence.

Last Tuesday, it issued a stark warning on a major threat: Nigeria’s social cohesion, national security, and democratic governance are being surreptitiously surrendered to algorithms controlled from outside our borders. It gladdens my heart.

Silently, the Big Tech firms, under the guise of technological innovation, have been killing the global media one bit at a time.

But it appears the Nigerian press can no longer bear the pains of where their “shoe pinches” like their peers elsewhere.

They have rightly identified the specific point where troubles, difficulties and stresses for their survival originate: Big Tech’s thieving technology.

They have also highlighted a more insidious vulnerability. In an era where foreign-coded narratives can dictate public discourse and relegate professional journalism to the margins, the “information sovereignty” of the republic is no longer a theoretical concern. It is an active crisis.

And the message is crystal clear: A new commitment to establishing terms of engagement with these global platforms will be needed to ensure that Nigeria’s national conversation is not quietly outsourced to opaque commercial interests beyond our control.

The Nigerian government should be worried. As the world pivots toward a digital-first existence, the structural pillars of the Nigerian Fourth Estate are being dismantled by global forces that owe no allegiance to our national borders, our social cohesion, or our democratic survival.

Yet, amid this mounting disruption, our policy response remains dangerously dormant. While the Presidency and the National Assembly grapple with immediate crises of security and currency, a more insidious vulnerability is being coded into our daily lives: the surrender of Nigeria’s public square to unregulated, transnational digital gatekeepers.

There is no precedent for the complexity of the current digital era. The era of the “town crier” or the monopolistic state broadcaster has given way to a fragmented reality where foreign-owned algorithms determine what a citizen in Kano, Lagos, or Enugu sees, believes, or ignores.

They, “the big boys”, smile at the banks while our news organisations gnash their teeth.

Today, Nigeria’s total advertising spend is estimated to be nearing $1 billion, yet a staggering $340 million of that is being swallowed by digital platforms, primarily Search and Social Media.

By 2025, Social Media alone is projected to command $131 million in Nigerian ad spend, while online video and banner ads, territories dominated by Google and Meta, will siphon off another $269 million.

Recent reporting from BusinessDay (February 2026) highlights that the digital ad sector is projected to grow to $148 million in social media alone by the end of this year. Meta’s total 2024 revenue was approximately $134 billion, and Alphabet (Google) exceeded $307 billion.

This is not merely a market disruption; it is a strategic decapitation of the local press. While these global behemoths reported 2024 revenues as high as $164.5 billion globally, their Nigerian operations operate in a financial “black box,” extracting local capital while returning almost zero reinvestment into the newsrooms that provide the very content their users discuss.

When professional journalism collapses, the vacuum is not filled by silence; it is filled by chaos.

The other answer lies in the global history of democratic resilience. When nations in the 20th century realised that certain industries, telecommunications, banking, energy, were vital to national security, they created robust frameworks to ensure they remained indigenous and accountable.

Journalism is no different. It is strategic civic infrastructure, as essential to the health of the republic as the judiciary.

Yet, we are currently treating it as a disposable commodity in a lopsided global auction where foreign entities pay billions in taxes to the Federal Government, N3.85 trillion in the first nine months of 2024 alone, yet provide no direct compensation to the industry whose intellectual property they monetise.

The Nigerian press does not come to the government seeking a handout. We come with a warning: a democracy of Nigeria’s scale cannot afford to outsource its information sovereignty. And this is not just Nigeria’s trouble; it’s a global movement.

Leading democracies have already concluded that non-intervention is a recipe for the institutional collapse of their trusted news industries.

The European Union has moved to curb gatekeeper dominance; Australia has implemented a bargaining framework that forces tech giants to remunerate local newsrooms; and Canada has enacted legislation to secure long-term funding for domestic journalism.

These nations recognised a fundamental truth: press freedom requires economic viability.

A journalist who cannot afford to eat cannot afford to be brave. A newsroom that cannot fund a legal team cannot challenge corruption.

Today, the Nigerian safety net for truth is frayed. The good news is that it can be restitched.

As a first step, the Federal Government should empower the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to establish a mandatory bargaining code.

This would ensure that when global platforms monetise Nigerian news content, a fair portion of that value is reinvested back into the newsrooms that produced it.

Finally, we must insist on transparency in algorithmic distribution, ensuring that local, credible news is not buried under a mountain of sensationalist, offshore-driven “engagement.”

Democracy rarely prevents the emergence of new technologies, but it must serve as a check on their excesses. Citizens need to exert their influence now, demanding that their representatives protect the integrity of the news they consume.

We should not allow the next generation of Nigerians to inherit a world where they cannot distinguish between a verified fact and a manufactured lie, or where their national discourse is merely a data point for a foreign corporation’s profit margin.

The decisions made in the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly and the offices of the Presidency over the next two years will define the digital sovereignty of this nation. We can either act to secure a professional, independent, and viable press, or we can watch as the “last major treaty” between the truth and the public is allowed to expire.

This is the time when silence is not golden.

Adediran, NPAN CEO, writes via olusegunadediran@gmail.com

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.

Mojeed made this appeal during a panel session at the 9th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), held in Lagos on Thursday, with the theme: “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects.”

According to him, despite the indispensable role of the media in democracy, government support remains minimal.

The government hardly gives us support. The fact is, everyone needs the media, especially when in power and even more when out of power,” he stated.

The award-winning journalist stressed that the media must be empowered to effectively serve as the voice of the people and watchdog of society.

While acknowledging the palliatives extended to some media houses during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly through debt waivers, Mojeed argued that such gestures were not enough and urged the government to do more to strengthen the sector.

He also decried the poor quality of leadership in the country, noting that many politicians come into office unprepared for the responsibilities of governance.

“There’s a clear disconnect between campaign promises and actual delivery,” he lamented.

Mojeed further encouraged journalists to embrace technology and innovation, describing them as vital tools for enhancing accountability and reinforcing the media’s role in promoting transparency and good governance.

The conference, which is the ninth edition in the GOCOP series, will focus on the theme: “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities Challenges and Prospects.”

A press statement by the publicity secretary, GOCOP, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, quoted the conference chairman, Danlami Imodu, mni, as saying that the date has become necessary to be proclaimed to enable stakeholders to plan along.

Describing  2025 theme, Imodu said it aimed at generating actionable strategies for bridging the gap between electoral promises and effective governance in Nigeria and Africa.

Imodu who doubles as the deputy president also revealed that the conference will feature a distinguished keynote speaker and panel discussions.

Nweke recalled that past GOCOP conferences have hosted prominent speakers including Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Professor Uche Uwaleke, and former Governor Liyel Imoke, who have addressed critical issues ranging from the economy and security to elections and digital transformation.

Further, he said, GOCOP, a professional body comprising 119 member organizations, was founded to uphold the tenets of journalism in the digital age.

Its members are seasoned editors and senior journalists who have transitioned from traditional media to online publishing.

Pointing out that the conference offers unique sponsorship opportunities for brand visibility, media recognition, and networking with high-level journalists, editors, and policy influencers.

Through a partnership with GOCOP, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to ethical journalism and responsible media.

Speaking on Wednesday, July 17, 2025, at a high-level two-day workshop Guild of Online Publishers (GOCOP) held in Lagos, the NIMC boss reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to building an inclusive, secure, and citizen-centric identity system, while urging media professionals to play a more proactive role in combating misinformation, raising awareness, and building public trust.

“Your role is pivotal and indispensable to the successful transformation of Nigeria’s digital identity landscape,” Coker-Odusote declared through Lanre Yusuf, director of Software and Biometrics at NIMC, while thanking the publishers for their consistent reportage and support. “You have walked this journey with us. You have reported the highs and the lows. You have challenged us, supported us, and held up a mirror to our processes.”

Since assuming office, Engr. Coker-Odusote said she has led far-reaching reforms at NIMC, and now delivering measurable impact across sectors.

In just three years, NIN enrolment has surged from 72.7 million in January 2022 to over 122 million as of July 2025, representing a 49% increase.

This, she said, is not just about numbers, but about ensuring more Nigerians have a verifiable means of identity to access life-changing services, from education to agriculture, healthcare, social welfare, and finance.

Building a People-Centered Identity System

According to the DG, the new identity system, unlike the fragmented, exclusionary structure of the past, is now being anchored on inter-agency coordination, citizen inclusion, digital integration, and system transparency.

She highlighted critical partnerships with agencies such as JAMB, FIRS, NHIS, NCoS, CBN, FRSC, NSITF, PENCOM, and the Nigeria Immigration Service, which have collectively strengthened authentication and verification services across government operations.

“These collaborations are delivering real, tangible benefits,” she noted. “Students are accessing loans faster through NELFUND. Verified farmers are receiving subsidies. Entrepreneurs are unlocking business support.”

A System That Works, and a Workforce behind It

Engr. Coker-Odusote also spotlighted NIMC’s internal reforms aimed at strengthening its workforce. Over 2,300 members of staff have been promoted between 2023 and 2024, while more than 1,300 officers have undergone training and re-training.

She further announced that the Commission has successfully cleared a two-year backlog of payments owed to front-end enrolment partners, restoring trust and deepening collaboration.

Technological tools like the NINAuth mobile app, Self-Service NIN Enrolment and Modification platforms, and Contactless Biometric Solutions have also been introduced to speed up service delivery and enhance user experience.

In a heartfelt appeal, Engr. Coker-Odusote invited media stakeholders, especially online publishers under the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), to move from mere reportage to active collaboration.

“We urge you to combat misinformation, promote transparency, and use your platforms to ensure every Nigerian knows their rights and the value of identity,” she said.

She also noted that gaps remain in digital literacy, public awareness, and trust. These gaps, she said, are best addressed through a sustained media partnership grounded in fact-based storytelling, public enlightenment campaigns, and accurate information.

“Together, we can ensure that every Nigerian is empowered to say, confidently and securely: ‘I am recognised. I am included. I am identified,” she concluded.

Also speaking, Mrs. Tito Ejenavi, coordinator of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) Project, said it was more than just another media workshop; it was a call to action.

She said the goal was to build stronger bridges between Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem and the media voices that shape public opinion.

Mrs. Ejenavi underscored the critical role that the media plays in shaping narratives around national identity.

“You are the conscience of our democracy,” she told the Fourth Estate. “You influence public behaviour and amplify the voices of everyday Nigerians. This partnership matters.”

“Our mission is rooted in the principle of inclusion,” she declared. “We’re not just building systems—we’re investing in people.”

Since the project became effective in 2021, tangible milestones have emerged:

• Over 7,167 enrolment agents trained and certified across rural communities.
• Critical policies validated, including the National Inclusion Strategy and the Disability Enrolment Policy.
• Technological upgrades to improve biometric systems, data recovery infrastructure, and service delivery.
• The rollout of NIMS 2.0, Nigeria’s next-generation identity management system, aimed at deepening reach and functionality.

On her part, Ms. Maureen Chigbo, the GOCOP President thanked the management of NIMC for organizing the roundtable, adding that they are ready to work with the Commission to ensure accurate information are disseminated regarding digital identity management in the country.

“And you might ask me: What is the very essence of the Guild? The very essence of the Guild is to sanitize the online publishing community. Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, have helped to sanitize the industry.

“We as professionals who have been in the industry for years, and I mean if you put all of us together, we have more than 1000 years of experience.

“And that’s why today, GOCOP is fast becoming a household name. And it’s not just becoming a household name; we want it to be entrenched in the minds of all the chief executives in the country including the parastatals.

She went ahead to present GOCOP’s book to the representatives of NIMC, while calling for support to (GOCOP) members.

“Members of Guild of Corporate Online Publishers are just journalists. No, we are not. We are mediapreneurs (media entrepreneurs),” Ms. Chigbo said.

The roundtable, now in its fifth edition, is part of a broader initiative by NIMC and Nigeria Digital ID4D, a project co-funded by the World Bank, European Investment Bank, and French Development Agency, to increase the number of Nigerians with a National Identification Number (NIN).

GOCOP is the foremost body of online publishers in Nigeria. And it has just told its story. A story that drips with courage, will, vision and tenacity.

The story of GOCOP has been captured in a book aptly titled, NIGERIA MEDIA RENAISSANCE: GOCOP Perspectives on Online Publishing.

The book is a zesty, front-row compendium of the metamorphosis of online publishing in Nigeria rendered in racy prose by media gladiators who are all members of GOCOP. It was unveiled on June 17, in Abuja, at a gathering of eagles and stars in the Nigerian journalism firmament.

The event was more than a book launch. It was also a fundraiser for N2.3 billion GOCOP MEDIA CENTRE; a one-stop media resort encompassing offices, halls, library, others.

The Presidency, captains of industry, the academia, politicians, the diplomatic community and everybody that is somebody was present.

A testament to the seriousness of GOCOP and an authentication of the acceptability of GOCOP as the only genuine constellation of professional journalists operating in the online space.

The roll call is a rich cast comprising the incumbent Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris and his predecessor Alhaji Lai Mohammed, both media gurus but of varying modus vivendi and temperament. Idris who chaired the occasion showered encomium on GOCOP for chronicling the birthing and trajectory of GOCOP.

He is a huge fan of GOCOP, and members love him for his calm, non-combative disposition.

The book is a first-hand account of the history of a group essentially formed to breath life into the online journalism ecosystem which at that time was the playground of quacks, media hounds and professional misfits who took advantage of a vacuum created by the absence of ethically-driven professional journalists in the online community.

GOCOP was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2013 as Nigerian Online Publishers Association (NOPA). Its emergence soon got a few media miscreants and impostors roiled and enraged. These were the purveyors of fake news and mercantilists who report news for money, and not as a public service rendered professionally.

They were not guided by the demand of both duty and the call of journalism. Their motivation was lucre. Their tool was blackmail. They deployed this to do damage to the journalism profession. And hell, they did so much damage, disseminating bare-faced falsehood cloned in their devious and grossly infantile mind.

These media shams, therefore, saw the emergence of GOCOP, a group of professional journalists with undeniable pedigree, as an existential threat; a formidable group capable of eclipsing them from the online journalism agora. So, they fought back, futilely so, except, they succeeded in causing a rebranding of NOPA to GOCOP in 2014.

Ever since, GOCOP had grown from an informal chat between two journalists to a 120-strong membership of seasoned journalists flaunting over 2,000 years cumulative experience in print and broadcast journalism. GOCOP has transformed into a formidable armada of grounded and richly up-skilled journalists spread across the world.

They are the first to break the news. They are not fazed by the competition. They report facts, and explore the often treacherous labyrinth of investigative journalism. Some GOCOP members are multiple-award winners.

It is a mix of scholarly journalists, lawyers still immersed in journalism. And their knowledge bandwidth knows no limit.

They report and analyse the economy, politics, sports, agriculture, environment, oil and gas, real estate, insurance, banking, society, and every sphere of human endeavour, making it the preferred platform for advertisers.

The GOCOP fraternity is beyond reporting. Members are mediapreneurs captured within the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sub-sector.

They are employers of labour and tax-payers, contributing to the GDP of the nation. Birthed as a counterpoise to the mushrooming of fake news purveyors, GOCOP, it must be emphasised, has crested the curve of responsible journalism and has succeeded, reasonably so, in pushing the ethically-deficient and mostly intellectually stunted impostors out of the online journalism space, limiting them to occasional pop-ups on social media.

The book was reviewed by a consummate public relations czar and scholar, Dr. Ike Neliaku, who is currently the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

Neliaku who himself is a treasure trove of knowledge described the book “as a classic documentation of factual trajectory of a great destiny, whose time has come. With a powerful storytelling technique, ‘photo speak’, use of poetic devices as well as in-depth interview, readers will not want to put it down until they read the whole chapters and epilogue on behind-the-scene intrigues that played during GOCOP registration process with the CAC. The secret behind this irresistibility is the journalistic narration of events and contributions that are captivating about GOCOP transformation and its strategic influence on online journalism and digital economy.”

While recommending the book for all, Neliaku reminds GOCOP members, and indeed all journalists, that strive for excellence and ethical standard of the words of caution of Dapo Olorunyomi, the inimitable publisher of Premium Times, an audacious online journalism platform in Nigeria with a bent for investigative journalism, whom in his foreword to the book wrote: “The lessons from history are clear: Freedom must never be taken for granted. To safeguard this freedom, the online journalism community must collaborate to strengthen ethical, fact-based journalism and resist the forces that seek to undermine it.”

This is the path GOCOP members have chosen: To uphold press freedom and defend civil liberties by practicing fact-based reportage guided by the creeds of ethics, fairness and justice. GOCOP is no longer an idea.

It is a phenomenon, a media movement steeped in advocacy, information dissemination, data journalism, edutainment, development and agenda-setting.

This book should be a companion of students of media studies, journalists, PR and Advertising practitioners, lawyers especially those with interest in media law, teachers and anybody interested in seeking knowledge in this furiously competitive digital age. It deserves a place in the libraries of all higher institutions in Nigeria.

*Ichie Ken Ugbechie, publisher Political Economist, is a GOCOP member

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/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.

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.

Confirming this, Maureen Chigbo, GOCOP president, said, the book, titled “Nigeria Media Renaissance: GOCOP Perspectives on Online Publishing,” would be presented at an event chaired by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi.

The Publicity Secretary, GOCOP, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke in a press statement, reiterated that the book presentation would take place on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 10:00 am at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel, Wuse Zone 4, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Additionally, Nweke said, the event would serve as a fundraiser for the N2.3 billion GOCOP MEDIA CENTRE, a multi-purpose resource centre featuring a secretariat, 21st-century library, and event halls.

Dr. Neliaku, he said, is an accomplished public relations expert, author, and public speaker as well as serves as Chairman of Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter of NIPR; and has held notable positions, including Senior Special Assistant to the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria (2010-2015).

The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) promotes professionalism in online publishing, upholding fundamental journalism principles. With 120 corporate publishers as members, GOCOP continues to uphold the highest standards of online journalism.

The event is scheduled for 110am on Tuesday June 17, 2025 at the Continental Hotel, Abuja.

Maureen Chigbo, president of GOCOP, who confirmed this development said the book presentation will be graced  by eminent personalities from all walks of life, including government officials, captains of industry, media practitioners and other professionals, representatives of international organisations, directors of non-governmental organisations.

Alhaji Idris was sworn in as Minister of Information and National Orientation on August 21, 2023, following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

With over three decades of experience in broadcasting, newspapering, public relations, and advertising, Idris has brought a wealth of expertise to the role.

His academic background includes degrees in English Studies from Uthman Danfodio University, Sokoto, and Bayero University, Kano.

As an entrepreneur, he established notable media outlets such as Blueprint, WE FM radio station, and Rapid Television in Abuja.

He is a prominent figure in professional associations such as National Institute of Public Relations, African Public Relations Association, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria, and Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria.

As the founder of Bifocal Communications, a leading public relations and communications consultancy, Idris has served both local and transnational corporations.

Beyond his professional endeavours, Idris is committed to social responsibility through the Mohammed Idris Malagi (MIM) Foundation, which has positively impacted many lives.

As a reward for his contributions to the development of his immediate environment and beyond, The Etsu Nupe conferred “Kaakaki Nupe” on him.

A press statement by the GOCOP Publicity Secretary, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, quoted the GOCOP president as saying that the proceeds of the book will be used to fund the N2.3 billion GOCOP MEDIA CENTRE, a multi-purpose resource centre comprising a secretariat, a 21st Century library and event halls, among others.

Nweke further noted that the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) was established to promote professionalism in online publishing, ensuring its members uphold the fundamental principles of journalism.

Comprising seasoned editors and senior journalists with distinguished career in print and electronic media, GOCOP’s membership has traversed the online publishing, recognizing its pivotal role in shaping the future of journalism globally. With 120 corporate publishers as members, GOCOP continues to uphold the highest standards of online journalism.

The award was given to him on Thursday, April 17 by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

In a release on Sunday, April 20, Ms. Maureen Chigbo, GOCOP President, commended Mr. Soneye’s exceptional achievement, describing it as a testament to his professionalism and dedication to impactful communication.

The release signed by Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, Publicity Secretary of GOCOP said:

 “This recognition is a shining affirmation of your commitment to transparency, professionalism, and effectiveness in strategic communication of your companies policies to its various publics in Nigeria’s vital oil and gas sector,” she said.

Chigbo said that Mr. Soneye’s leadership in corporate communication at NNPC Ltd has set a new standard for public communication in the industry, and his emergence as the recipient of this award is a reflection of his exceptional skill and integrity.

Chigbo is particularly happy, that Mr. Soneye is a good ambassador of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) where he was a  member before his appointment as the chief communications officer of the NNPCL.

Mr. Soneye’s achievement, she said, is a badge of honor not just for him, but for the entire organization.

On behalf of GOCOP’s 120 members, Ms. Chigbo congratulated Mr. Soneye and urged him to continue to lift the image of the national oil company to greater heights.

“GOCOP commended Mr. Soneye for his outstanding contribution to corporate communication in Nigeria and celebrates his well-deserved recognition.

“We are proud to have you as a member, and we pray God to grant you many more blessings of good health of mind and body to continue to excel in your job and service to the nation,” she said.