GOCOP Mourns Ex-President Dotun Oladipo

The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has mourned its former president and publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo, who died at the age of 56.

Oladipo died on Tuesday, August 25, after reportedly falling ill, with the Guild describing his death as a major loss to the organisation and the wider Nigerian media industry.

In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Kemi Yesufu, GOCOP said Oladipo played an important role in shaping the Guild during its formative years, serving as president from 2017 to 2021.

The Guild said his four-year tenure came at a critical period when online publishing was expanding rapidly in Nigeria and publishers were working to establish digital media as an important part of the country’s journalism ecosystem.

“During his four-year tenure as GOCOP President, Oladipo devoted considerable time to the affairs of the Guild, representing the organisation at various engagements and working with members as the online publishing industry experienced rapid growth,” GOCOP said.

The Guild noted that Oladipo brought his experience as a journalist and publisher to its leadership, while contributing to efforts to build a stronger professional community among online publishers.

Reacting to the death, the current GOCOP President, Danlami Nmodu, described the development as painful, saying Oladipo’s contributions to the Guild would remain remembered.

“Dotun played an important role in the development of GOCOP. He led the Guild for four years at a time when there was still a lot of work to be done to establish online publishers as an important part of the media,” Nmodu said.

Nmodu added that Oladipo understood both journalism and the business of publishing and was passionate about the growth of online media in Nigeria.

GOCOP said Oladipo’s journalism career began in the traditional media, where he worked in reporting, editing and newsroom management before moving into digital publishing and establishing The Eagle Online.

The Guild said his transition into online publishing coincided with a period of rapid transformation in Nigeria’s media industry, as new digital platforms emerged and social media increasingly shaped news distribution.

GOCOP also remembered Oladipo as a colleague who maintained relationships with publishers across the country and remained interested in the affairs of the Guild after leaving office.

The Guild extended its condolences to Oladipo’s family, the management and staff of The Eagle Online, and his friends and colleagues across the media industry.

GOCOP said it would work with his family and associates on arrangements to honour his memory.