Rt. Hon Aminu Bello Masari.

Lagos, Nigeria:  A former Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives and immediate past Governor of Katsina State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, will deliver the keynote speech at the 2025 edition of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers GOCOP Annual Conference.

The confab is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

The theme of the conference which is the 9th in the series is: “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects.”

Masari confirmed his availability for the role during a courtesy visit by a GOCOP delegation led by the Deputy President and Chairman of Conference Planning Committee, Danlami Nmodu, mni. Another member of the delegation was 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.

According to a press statement by GOCOP’s Publicity Secretary, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, 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.”

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu delivered the keynote “2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcome.”

Professor Uche Uwaleke, Capital Market scholar (2023), who 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 GOCOP, remains a strong demonstration of commitment to ethical journalism and responsible media.”