By Gabriel Ameh
The Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, held its 2025 Investiture Public Lecture and Awards at the Azikiwe Hall, Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, bringing together top government officials, media leaders, technocrats and national reformers to discuss the role of online media in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic and development agenda.
Themed “Strengthening Corporate Online Media for National Development,” the event marked ACOE’s third anniversary, featuring the induction of new members, presentation of excellence awards, goodwill messages from government institutions, and a keynote address that set the tone for deeper collaboration between media and national development stakeholders.
IPCR DG Delivers Keynote on Media, Peace and Security
The Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, represented by Chukwuemeka I. Mbah, Deputy Director, Office of the DG, delivered the keynote address, noting that the theme was timely as Nigeria battles misinformation, insecurity, and a rapidly evolving digital space.
In a keynote titled “Strengthening Corporate Online Media for National Development,” Ochogwu praised ACOE for its visionary leadership, adding that Nigeria’s stability and future development are inseparable from the conduct and credibility of the online media sector.
“Online media has become a pillar in shaping narratives, fostering accountability, and driving national development. Over half of Nigerians now receive their information online. You are not just reporters you are agenda-setters, gatekeepers, and custodians of public trust,” he said.
He cautioned that misinformation continues to inflame tensions nationwide, especially amid rising insecurity, citing the November 2025 abduction of over 300 students and teachers in Niger State as a worrying example of how bad information worsens panic and public distrust.
The IPCR DG emphasized that strengthening online media will enhance governance, transparency, peacebuilding, economic growth, and citizen engagement.
He outlined five key responsibilities for corporate online editors:
accuracy, digital innovation, national interest, anti-sensationalism, and unity-centered reporting.
He reaffirmed IPCR’s readiness to deepen partnership with ACOE through research support, conflict-sensitive reporting training, early-warning collaborations, and joint media-literacy campaigns against fake news.
NOA DG Calls for Ethical Digital Behaviour
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), in a goodwill message delivered on behalf of its Director-General, emphasized that responsible digital behaviour has become essential in sustaining national cohesion.
The NOA DG praised ACOE for elevating the standards of digital journalism, referencing the National Values Charter (2024) as Nigeria’s ethical framework for online responsibility.
“When we promote truth online, we reinforce trust offline. We must build a media ecosystem that unites, enlightens, and strengthens our national fabric,” the message stated.
NIMC DG Celebrated for Digital Identity Transformation
One of the high points of the ceremony was the recognition of Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), celebrated as one of Nigeria’s most visionary public sector reformers.
Represented by Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Director of Media at NIMC, the citation highlighted her sweeping reforms, including:
– Clearing legacy backlogs
– Expanding the national identity database to 250 million records
– Deploying mobile enrollment devices nationwide
– Driving data harmonization across over 20 federal agencies
– Introducing advanced verification systems and two-factor authentication
She was honoured for empowering millions through digital identity, boosting national planning, and modernizing Nigeria’s identity infrastructure.
FRSC Corps Marshal Honoured for Road Safety Reforms
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, mni, was also celebrated for transformative leadership in national road safety administration.
His citation highlighted his:
– ISO 9001:2015 certification milestone
– Expansion of national rescue services
– Deployment of 36,000 personnel and 750 patrol vehicles
– Launch of FRSC Traffic Radio 107.1FM
– Technological enhancements in driver licensing and crash analytics
He was described as:
“A guardian of public safety and a visionary whose mission is simple: A Nigeria where every journey ends safely.”
Awards Presented to Leaders, Institutions and Fallen Heroes
ACOE presented awards to outstanding national leaders and institutions, including:
DG NIMC
DG NOA
DG IPCR
FRSC Corps Marshal
Humanitarian champions and public service innovators
Fallen heroes of Nigeria’s armed forces who sacrificed their lives between 2010 and 2025
The solemn tribute to fallen heroes drew standing ovations as ACOE reaffirmed its commitment to national unity and remembrance.
ACOE Chairman Reaffirms Mandate
Delivering the official address, ACOE Chairman, Mr. Shola Akinboloye, commended members for upholding the association’s core values of “Speed, Accuracy & Truth.”
He emphasized that online media must rise above sensationalism and fake news to become a stabilizing force for national development.
“Corporate online media must lead with professionalism, integrity, digital capacity, and national responsibility. This investiture marks not just a celebration, but a renewed commitment to reshape Nigeria’s digital information landscape,” he said.
The event concluded with cutting of the anniversary cake, induction of new members, group photographs, and networking among government officials, media executives, and industry innovators.
