THE GUILD of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has announced that Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, the immediate past governor of Katsina State, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the current chairman of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), will deliver the keynote address at its 9th Annual Conference, scheduled to hold Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
A press statement issued by GOCOP’s Publicity Secretary, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, stated that this year’s conference will hold under the theme: “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects.”
Masari, who packs an extensive experience in all branches of government, is expected to explore this theme in his keynote address.
The former governor’s confirmation to speak followed a recent courtesy visit to his office in Abuja by a GOCOP delegation. The delegation was led by the organisation’s Deputy President and Conference Planning Committee chair, Danlami Nmodu, mni, and included the Vice President (North), Mr. Tom Chiahemen.
During the visit, the former governor was presented with a copy of a newly published GOCOP book, which he accepted.
The press statement highlighted Masari’s distinguished record of public service, which includes serving as Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport in Katsina State (1991–1993), Speaker of the House of Representatives (2003–2007), and a two-term governor of Katsina State (2015–2023).
Born in Masari Village in Kafur LGA of Katsina State, Masari’s career is noted for a commitment to public service, beginning in the civil service and rising to senior management.
His tenure as governor, Nweke noted, was marked by a focus on infrastructure, education, healthcare, and workers’ welfare, successfully steering Katsina State to become one of the few in Nigeria without salary arrears.
His service has been recognised with national honours such as the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), traditional titles including Dallatun Katsina and Matawallen Hausa, and awards like The Sun Courage in Leadership Award (2016) and the Zik Leadership Prize for Good Governance (2017).
The GOCOP annual conference has established a reputation for featuring eminent speakers.
Past keynoters include Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese (2019), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (2022), and Prof. Uche Uwaleke, a leading capital market scholar (2023).
GOCOP, a professional guild of 119-member organisations, is led by seasoned editors and senior journalists who transitioned from traditional media to online publishing.
The organization is dedicated to upholding the highest tenets of journalism in the digital age.
According to the statement, the annual conference offers significant sponsorship opportunities, providing partners with brand visibility, media recognition, and access to a network of influential journalists, editors, and policy shapers.
