Joyce Onwuka
The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, pays tribute to the memory of Mr. Dotun
Oladipo, former President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), as he is laid to rest today. The Centre extends its deepest sympathies to his family, the leadership and members of GOCOP, professional colleagues, friends, and the wider Nigerian media community.
Mr. Oladipo was a committed journalism professional, media development advocate, and strong supporter of initiatives promoting ethical journalism, professional standards, and democratic accountability. His years of service to the Nigerian media were marked by active engagement, effective mobilisation, and a commitment to strengthening the profession.
Mr. Oladipo’s presidency of GOCOP brought him into sustained institutional engagement with the International Press Centre, particularly around media professionalism, electoral reporting, and the development of standards for responsible journalism.
As a measured but persistent advocate and highly effective mobiliser, he was instrumental in securing GOCOP’s position as one of the first umbrella media professional bodies to formally support and endorse the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage, introduced by IPC in 2018 as a professional framework for promoting accuracy, fairness, balance, accountability and conflict-sensitive reporting throughout the electoral cycle.
He went beyond GOCOP’s institutional endorsement by encouraging many individual
members of the Guild to subscribe to the Code and its principles. This demonstrated his personal commitment to good journalism and the importance he placed on professional standards within the media.
Mr. Oladipo’s dedication to the profession was also evident in his consistent presence at key industry gatherings, including conferences of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, media leadership summits, and other forums bringing together media professionals and stakeholders. He understood the value of professional networks, dialogue, and collective action in strengthening the Nigerian media.
Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said: ” Oladipo’s leadership of GOCOP and
his engagement with the wider media community reflected a strong commitment to
professional standards, responsible journalism, and the collective advancement of the Nigerian media. His efforts contributed meaningfully to strengthening professional engagement and the media’s role in democratic development.”
The International Press Centre prays for the peaceful repose of his soul and extends its deepest sympathies to his family, GOCOP, colleagues, and the wider Nigerian media community. His contributions to media professionalism and the advancement of responsible journalism will continue to inspire the Nigerian media community.