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 award was presented during the NIPR Director’s Conference and Retreat 8.0 by the NIPR President, Mr. Ike Neliaku in recognition and appreciation of Basil’s outstanding professionalism in public service.

At the event, the Chairperson Planning Committee of the conference, Mrs. Thelma Okoh said the Conference was organized to serve as a rallying point for all the Directors in Public Relations to encourage collaborative learning for the decision makers in the industry.

Also, at the event which was well attended by the Public Relations’ Directors from both the public and private sectors and the crème-de-la-crème of the society, Mr. Basil Agboarumi gave a presentation titled: Insights from Best Practices Model.

During his presentation, Basil encouraged the Public Relations Directors to ensure that they are knowledgeable about their respective operating environment so that when the opportunity to head their organizations is presented, they would be able to perform effectively.

Furthermore, Basil emphasized that integrity, loyalty and continuous personal development is key to going far in the industry and he encouraged the Directors not to rest on their oars but to continually attune themselves to learning about global best practices both locally and from foreign institutions.

Basil reiterated that for him to transition from the Public Relations landscape to seating at the head of the Board room was a product of the grace of God and competence that was demonstrated when he was given the opportunity to act in the stead of his predecessor when he was on annual leave.

This provided an opportunity to hone his skills such that the transition was seamless when his predecessor’s tenure ended. He emphasized that having the luxury of a highly competent professional team of SAHCO to work with was something that has also made his job a lot easier.

During the award presentation, Mr. Ike Neliaku, the NIPR President, said Basil Agboarumi has made the NIPR institution very proud and the award was in recognition of the good name that Basil has given the practice. He went on to say that Basil’s achievement is a testament that Public Relations Practitioners can provide leadership for institutions and are not stuck as members of the Boardroom alone.

Agboarumi while receiving the award said he was indeed humbled at the gesture and he said he was just contributing his own quota to the development of the country as a whole. He said the award would encourage more people to know that no good deed goes unrewarded and he emphasized that Public Relations Practitioners should ensure that they are dependable both to their superiors and dependants and should make sure that whatever is communicated to both the public and stakeholders is nothing short of the truth.

In conclusion, Basil introduced SAHCO as a Publicly Listed Aviation Ground Handling Service provider that is present in all the commercially operated Airports in Nigeria and is involved in activities that includes Passenger Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling and Warehousing, Aviation Security, Premium Lounge services amongst other aviation related services.