The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), on Thursday in Ikeja, Lagos, inaugurated the Editor-in-Chief/Publisher of NewsDiary Online, Danlami Nmodu as President for a two-year term.
Also in the new executive council are the Publisher of QEDNG, Olumide Iyanda (Deputy President); Editor-in-Chief of The Conclave, Sufuyan Ojeifo (General Secretary); Managing Editor/CEO of Prompt News Online; Akeem Oyetunji (Deputy General Secretary); CEO/Publisher of Supernews Nigeria, Ngozi Onyeakusi (Treasurer); Publisher of City Business News Online, Moses Ebosele (Financial Secretary); and CEO/Editor-in-Chief of Frontline News Online, Kemi Yesufu (Publicity Secretary).
With the inauguration, Nmodu took over GOCOP leadership from the Publisher of RealNews, Maureen Chigbo.
In his acceptance speech, Nmodu expressed gratitude to members of the Guild for finding him worthy of the office of President.
He promised to abide by the ideals, rules and regulations of the guild in order to take the body to a higher level of growth within the online publishing community in Nigeria.
‘I take the responsibility of the office seriously. Our members shall come first. I promise to work harmoniously with other exco officers and members to take GOCOP to a higher level of growth’, he declared.
Nmodu also promised to create more human capital and business opportunities for all members of GOCOP.
While other officers were returned unopposed, Nmodu was challenged by the Publisher of Worldstage News Online, Segun Adeleye.
Declaring the results of the election, which was conducted on Wednesday, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Yusuf Ozi-Usman, who is the Editor-In-Chief of Greenbarge Reporters, stated that, out of a total of 120 registered members as of 8 October 2025, 114 were qualified to vote and be voted for, in accordance with the provisions of GOCOP constitution.
He also said that, out of the 114, 80 members attended the Annual General Congress in person, while 71 voted physically, nine members did e-voting.
Nmodu scored 56 votes to emerge as President.
On Day 2 and final day of the conference, eight members, including the Publisher of Breezy News, Muyiwa Akintunde, were inducted into the Guild. Others are: Publisher of Newscoven.com, Adedapo Falade; Publisher of PMParrot and ParrotXtra magazine, Olayinka Agboola; Publisher of Consumer Connect, Gbenga Kayode; Publisher of BRTNews.ng, Tola Akinwutimi; Publisher of The Ideal News, Tony Amokeodo; Publisher of Today’s News Now, Ofonime Umanah and Publisher of Maritime First, Wilson Aderibigbe.
Day 2 featured the conference lecture on the theme, “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects”. The event brought together eminent personalities from government, the media, academia, and the private sector to deliberate on the theme.
It was chaired by former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George; while the Guest Speaker was former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, who was also Governor of Katsina State.
George emphasised integrity and accountability in leadership, urging political office holders to remain true to their pledges. ‘The essence of governance is service to humanity. Every promise made must be guided by sincerity, commitment, and purpose’, he admonished.
Delivering the keynote address, Masari examined the recurring gap between political promises and governance realities, citing fiscal limitations, weak institutions, and global disruptions such as the
COVID-19 pandemic as major challenges. He called for realistic campaign messaging, strong institutions, and open communication between leaders and citizens.
The panel discussion was moderated by Publisher of Political Economist, Ken Ugbechie. It featured the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu; the Editor-in-Chief/COO of PREMIUM TIMES, Musikilu Mojeed; and the Director of the Institute of Continuing Education at the University of Lagos, Prof. Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika,
Other dignitaries, included Lagos State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso; former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; former presidential Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina; corporate partners, media executives, and civil society leaders.
In her final address, Chigbo expressed appreciation to GOCOP members and partners for their continued support, while urging the new leadership to sustain the Guild’s commitment to promoting credible, and fact-based online journalism.
The conference reaffirmed GOCOP’s vision to uphold ethics, transparency, and professionalism in Nigeria’s online publishing space.
