GOMEP Honours Prof. Emmanuel Ufuophu with National Leadership Award

ABUJA - The Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) has selected renowned academic, administrator and media scholar, Prof. Emmanuel Ufuophu, for its prestigious National Leadership Award for Excellence in Higher Education, Public Service, Journalism and Human-Capital Development, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to academia, national development and professional journalism.

The honour, the Guild said, followed an extensive and independent assessment of Prof. Ufuophu's outstanding achievements, leadership credentials and enduring impact on higher education, public service, journalism and human-capital development in Nigeria.
Announcing the decision in Abuja, the National President of GOMEP-NG, Comr. Akpovoke Otiti, said the award emerged after a painstaking evaluation conducted by the Guild's Award and Planning Committee.

Otiti disclosed that the committee, chaired by Madam Rabi Abubakar, Esq., alongside six other members, subjected nominees to a rigorous screening and fact-checking process before unanimously endorsing Prof. Ufuophu for the national honour.

According to him, the committee found the distinguished professor worthy of recognition for his visionary leadership in higher education, remarkable contributions to journalism education, dedication to public service and unwavering commitment to mentoring and developing future generations of professionals.

He noted that Prof. Ufuophu's impressive record as an academic, researcher, administrator and advocate for media excellence distinguished him among several eminent Nigerians considered for the award.

The National President further stated that the recognition reflects GOMEP-NG's commitment to celebrating Nigerians whose exceptional leadership, integrity and professional accomplishments continue to shape national development and inspire excellence across strategic sectors.

The decision was formally announced by the Guild's Publicity Secretary, Mr. Eluwa Tochukwu, who said the award recognises individuals whose enduring contributions have strengthened educational institutions, advanced journalism, promoted ethical leadership and expanded opportunities for human-capital development.

He added that the National Leadership Award for Excellence in Higher Education, Public Service, Journalism and Human-Capital Development is reserved for distinguished Nigerians whose achievements have made measurable contributions to knowledge, institutional growth and national progress.

The award presentation will be one of the highlights of the GOMEP-NG Maiden Annual National Conference, Lecture and Workshop, scheduled for Thursday, 26 November 2026, at Fabino by Top Rank Hotels, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.

The conference is expected to bring together policymakers, media executives, editors, publishers, academics, communication experts and other stakeholders from across Nigeria to deliberate on the future of digital journalism, media professionalism and national development while honouring distinguished Nigerians whose accomplishments continue to inspire excellence and transformational leadership.