GOCOP ’22 Conference: Corporate world joins journalists to shape 2023 elections

More corporate partners have emerged for the sixth annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers scheduled for October 6 at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The Chairman, 2022 Conference Committee, Ken Ugbechie, said on Monday that the latest partners comprised Delta and Lagos states.

This is in addition the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Chevron Nigeria Limited and Niger Delta Development Commission which also indicated interest.

GOCOP Publicity Secretary, Remmy Nweke, in a statement quoted Ugbechie as naming other sponsors as the Central Bank of Nigeria, Access Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc and Globacom.

Ugbechie said, “This year’s theme would focus on ‘2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcome,’ with the keynote speaker being the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, while the Chairman of the day would the Founder, Centre for Alternative Policy Perspectives and Strategy, Dr Umar Ardo.”

Panelists, he said, would include lawyer-activist cum Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa; former Inspector General of Police, Dr Solomon E. Arase and Dr Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye of Ford Foundation.

GOCOP 2022 conference had earlier announced partnership with the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending Plc, Nigerian Communications Commission, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, as well as the First Bank Plc, Nigeria Liquefied National Gas Limited, The Presidency, Wema Ban and the Nigeria Ports Authority among others.

Ugbechie stated that this year’s conference, which would hold just five months to the 2023 general elections, aimed at providing a roadmap for political actors and the public on the need to play by the rules and conform to acceptable electoral behaviour.

The planning committee chair pointed out that the highlight of the conference “is a business luncheon with GOCOP partners on October 5” at the same venue.

Former speakers at GOCOP conferences include Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, and Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“The Guild was established to ensure that online publishers uphold the tenets of journalism in doing their jobs and our membership is a constellation of Editors and senior journalists who, having distinguished themselves in their various stations, ventured into online publishing which is both the present and future of journalism globally,” Ugbechie said.