NNPCL, NLNG, FIRS, Delta, Lagos, JAMB, TotalEnergies, Osun, T-Pumpy, Others Partner with GOCOP for 2024 Conference
The eighth annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) is set to take place from October 2 to October 3, 2024, in Lokoja, Kogi State, and has garnered substantial backing from an impressive roster of sponsors. Leading the group of supporters are major industry players like the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Additionally, the governments of Delta and Lagos States have thrown their weight behind the event, alongside other significant contributors such as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and T-Pumpy Concept Limited.
This announcement was made by Danlami Nmodu, Chairman of the 2024 Conference Planning Committee, in a press statement issued by Remmy Nweke, GOCOP’s Publicity Secretary. Nmodu recalled that several sponsors had previously pledged their support, including the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Emadeb Group, and Dangote Group.
Among the other high-profile sponsors supporting the event are TotalEnergies, Osun State Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Setraco Nigeria Limited, United Bank for Africa (UBA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Access Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Fidelity Bank Plc, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc (STI), the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).
The theme for this year’s conference is “Nigeria: Tackling Insecurity, Power Deficit, and Transitioning to a Digital Economy.” The two-day event will feature key discussions and presentations aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing Nigeria today.
One of the highlights of the event will be the keynote address, which will be delivered by former Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, known for his in-depth knowledge of governance, infrastructure, and economic reforms.
The first day of the conference, October 2, will be exclusive to GOCOP members and will feature a business and capacity-building session. There will also be a business lunch for GOCOP sponsors and corporate communications heads from various organizations across the country. This part of the event is designed to foster networking and collaboration between the publishing community and the corporate sector.
The main conference, open to the public, is slated for October 3. It will feature a lineup of prominent speakers, including Yusuf Mamman, former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, who will serve as the conference chairman. The event will also feature Lt-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retired), former Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, and Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
In addition to the keynote speeches, the conference will feature an engaging panel discussion involving Rotimi Ajayi, a professor of Political Science at the Federal University Lokoja, and Debrah M. Ogazuma, an edutainment communicator and veteran broadcaster. These discussions will focus on Nigeria’s transition to a digital economy and the role of political and entertainment communication in tackling insecurity and fostering national development.
Nmodu recalled with pride the success of previous GOCOP conferences, noting that in 2023, the event was chaired by the JAMB Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Ishaq Olarenwaju Oloyede, while the keynote address was delivered by Prof. Uchenna Joseph Uwaleke, the first Nigerian Professor of Capital Market.
GOCOP has a long tradition of attracting high-caliber speakers for its annual conferences. In 2019, Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, delivered a lecture on “Economy, Security, and National Development: The Way Forward,” addressing the intersection of economic growth and security in Nigeria.
The 2021 edition featured Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, as the keynote speaker. His presentation, “Post COVID-19 Pandemic: Recovery and Reconstruction in Nigeria,” was particularly timely as it focused on Nigeria’s efforts to rebuild in the wake of the global health crisis.
In 2022, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), delivered the keynote address, themed “2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcomes.” His speech focused on the strategies and processes necessary for ensuring free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria.
As GOCOP prepares for the 2024 edition, the conference promises to continue its tradition of fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders in Nigeria’s economic, political, and media landscapes. The discussions at this year’s event will be crucial in charting a path forward for addressing the nation’s insecurity, power challenges, and digital transformation.
The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) was established with the aim of ensuring that online media practitioners adhere to the core principles of journalism, including fairness, accuracy, and accountability in reporting. Through its annual conferences, GOCOP provides a platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions that shape the future of media and national development in Nigeria.
Source: GOCOP
