IPC Mourns Dotun Oladipo, Hails Late GOCOP President’s Commitment to Ethical Journalism

By Joseph Sunday

LAGOS – The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, has paid glowing tribute to the late Mr. Dotun Oladipo, former President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), who was laid to rest on Thursday, September 11, 2026.

In a statement issued from its office at Dideolu Estate, Ogba, IPC commiserated with the Oladipo family, the leadership and members of GOCOP, and the entire Nigerian media community.

The Centre described the late Oladipo as a committed journalism professional, media development advocate, and steadfast supporter of ethical journalism, professional standards and democratic accountability.

According to IPC, his tenure as GOCOP President fostered sustained institutional engagement with the Centre, particularly in media professionalism, electoral reporting, and the promotion of responsible journalism.

The statement highlighted his pivotal role in the adoption of the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage, introduced by IPC in 2018 to promote accuracy, fairness, balance, accountability and conflict-sensitive reporting during elections.

“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,” IPC stated.

It added that beyond securing institutional endorsement, Oladipo personally encouraged individual GOCOP members to subscribe to the Code and its principles, underscoring his personal commitment to good journalism.

IPC also recalled his consistent presence and contributions at key industry gatherings, including conferences of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and media leadership summits, noting that he valued professional networks, dialogue and collective action as tools for strengthening the Nigerian media.

In his tribute, the 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 Centre prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul and reaffirmed that his contributions to media professionalism and responsible journalism will continue to inspire the media community.

The statement was signed by Olutoyin Ayoade, Communications Officer of IPC.