The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has unveiled plans for its 2025 Annual Conference, with Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and immediate past Governor of Katsina State, billed to deliver the keynote address.
Themed “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects,” this year’s conference will confront one of the most pressing issues in Nigeria’s democratic journey—the widening gap between political pledges and the realities of governance.
The high-profile event, now in its ninth edition, will gather media leaders, policymakers, and governance experts at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, October 9, 2025, starting at 10:00 a.m.
Masari confirmed his availability for the role during a courtesy visit by a GOCOP delegation led by the Deputy President and Conference Planning Committee Chair, Danlami Nmodu, mni, which included the Vice President (North), Mr. Tom Chiahemen, in Abuja.
During the visit, the team presented Masari with a copy of the newly published GOCOP book, which he graciously promised to read.
In a press statement, GOCOP’s Publicity Secretary, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, said that Masari, who is Chairman of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), had a distinguished record of service.
Masari was Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport in Katsina State (1991–1993), Speaker of the House of Representatives (2003–2007), and Governor of Katsina State (2015–2023).
Born in Masari village, Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State, Masari’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to diligence, honesty, and service.
From his early days in the civil service, rising through the Water Board to senior management, to his training at Middlesex Polytechnic in the UK, he has consistently distinguished himself in public life.
His political journey and leadership earned him national and traditional honours such as the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), Dallatun Katsina, and Matawallen Hausa, alongside honorary doctorates and international recognitions, including the U.S. Congressional Commendation Award.
As Governor, Masari focused on infrastructure, education, healthcare, and workers’ welfare, transforming Katsina into one of the few Nigerian states without salary arrears.
His leadership attracted accolades, including The Sun Courage in Leadership Award (2016) and the Zik Leadership Prize for Good Governance (2017).
Past GOCOP conferences had featured eminent speakers such as Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese (2019), who spoke on “Economy, Security and National Development: The Way Forward.”
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman (2022), delivered the keynote “2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcome.”
Professor Uche Uwaleke, Capital Market scholar (2023), addressed “Nigeria: Roadmap for Socio-Economic Recovery and Sustainability.”
Founded to uphold the tenets of journalism in the digital age, GOCOP is a professional body of 119 member organisations led by seasoned editors and senior journalists who transitioned from traditional media into online publishing.
According to the statement, “the annual conference provides a unique platform for sponsorship opportunities, offering brand visibility, media recognition, and networking with influential journalists, editors, and policy shapers.”
Partnering with GOCOP, the statement added, was a strong demonstration of commitment to ethical journalism and responsible media.
