The Nigerian Institute of Journalism Alumni Association (NIJAA) has elected a new National Executive Council (NEC) to lead the association for the next phase of its development, election which included participation of members in Nigeria and Diaspora.
The election held online Friday and Saturday and conducted by the electoral committee chaired by Adeoye Ola saw Olumuyiwa Akintunde emerging National President.
The other elected officers are Adesola Isabella Omwen (Vice President), Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji (National General Secretary), Chika Nnamani (National Assistant Secretary), Mark Akhuetie (National Publicity Secretary), Oluwayomi Oluwapelumi (National Organizing Secretary) and Adegbemi Adewale (National Legal Adviser).
The President in his acceptance speech, thanked members for the confidence reposed in him and the new executive, describing their election as a victory for every graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) who believes that the association, institution and journalism profession can attain greater heights
Akintunde equally commended the Caretaker Committee, led by Matthew Idowu for successfully steering the affairs of the association over the past six months, and also applauded the Election Subcommittee, for conducting what he described as a transparent and credible electoral process.
He paid tribute to the immediate past president, Dr Olusanya Awosan, and other past leaders whose contributions, he noted, had laid the foundations upon which successive administrations would continue to build.
The President in a gesture of inclusiveness, equally acknowledged Benjamin Oluwaseun Sanni and Ayodeji Ake who contested the positions of National Publicity Secretary and Organising Secretary respectively.
Akintunde said their decision to contest demonstrated a shared commitment to service and pledged that the ideas and promises advanced during the campaign would be carefully considered by the new administration.
The President outlined a three-point agenda for the new administration: leadership that listens; welfare and opportunities for members; and a stronger Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) and Nigerian Institute of Journalism Alumni Association (NIJAA) image.
He pledged to deepen member participation through town hall meetings, surveys and chapter consultations, ensuring that the voices and concerns of members remain central to the association’s decision-making process.
The President on welfare and professional development, promised to pursue initiatives that would create employment and career opportunities, training, mentorship and welfare support for members.
Akintunde pledged stronger support for the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) through infrastructure development, scholarships and advocacy, while promoting the professionalism, relevance and dignity of Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ)-trained journalists.
The President addressing Nigerian Institute of Journalism Alumni Association (NIJAA) chapters and members across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, United Kingdom, United States, Japan, Australia and other locations, described the chapters as the engine of the association and called for collective ownership of the new administration.
He urged members to put the election behind them and unite around the task of rebuilding and repositioning the association, emphasizing the need to move the association from nostalgia to impact, from reunions to results
“We must move NIJAA from nostalgia to impact, from reunions to results. With the election of the new NEC, NIJAA now enters a new chapter — one that places greater emphasis on service, member welfare, professional development, institutional support and a stronger public identity for the association.
‘The challenge before the new leadership is now to transform the campaign promises into measurable action and ensure that the confidence placed in them by members translates into tangible results for NIJAA and the wider NIJ community’.