- Odibo Victory
Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has accepted the invitation to chair the 10th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), scheduled to hold on October 8, in Lagos.
The Chairman of the 2026 Conference Planning Committee, Mr Olumide Iyanda, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by GOCOP’s Publicity Secretary, Ms Kemi Yesufu.
According to Iyanda, the conference, themed “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities,” comes at a critical period as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the theme underscores the need for credible institutions, responsible political leadership, an informed electorate and a vigilant media to strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
“The conference will provide a platform for thoughtful engagement on how government, political actors, the media and civil society can work together to promote transparency and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process,” he said.
He described Agbakoba as a fitting choice to chair the conference, noting that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria had consistently contributed to Nigeria’s democratic development and the advancement of the rule of law.
According to him, Agbakoba has earned national and international recognition over the years through his work as a lawyer, public intellectual and advocate of institutional reforms, making him well suited to lead discussions on democratic governance and accountability.
Iyanda also said the 2026 conference is significant because it marks the 10th edition of GOCOP’s annual gathering, which has become one of Nigeria’s leading platforms for discussions on governance, public policy, the media and national development.
He said GOCOP, established to promote ethical standards, professionalism and credibility in online journalism, comprises 127 leading online publishing organisations.
According to him, the Guild’s membership consists of editors and senior journalists who distinguished themselves in print and broadcast journalism before establishing independent online news platforms.
He added that GOCOP has continued to champion responsible journalism, media self-regulation and professional excellence while contributing to public discourse and democratic development in Nigeria.