The Nigerian Institute of Journalism Alumni Association (NIJAA), on Sunday morning, announced the constitution of its new National Executive Council (NEC) to lead the association for the next phase of its development.
The election produced an online newspaper publisher and PR consultant, Muyiwa Akintunde as National President.
The other NEC members include: Isabella Adesola (Vice President), Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji (General Secretary) and Chika Nnamani (Assistant Secretary).
Others are: Mark Akhuetie (National Publicity Secretary), Oluwapelumi Oluwayomi (Organising Secretary) and Adegbemi Adewale Esq., Legal Adviser.
In his acceptance speech, Akintunde 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 who believes that our association, our institution and the journalism profession can attain greater heights”.
He commended the Caretaker Committee, led by Matthew Idowu,
for successfully steering the affairs of the association over the past six months. He also applauded the election subcommittee, headed by Dr. Adeboye Ola, for conducting what he described as a transparent and credible electoral process.
Akintunde 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.
In a gesture of inclusiveness, the new president also acknowledged Benjamin Oluwaseun Sanni and Ayodeji Ake,
who contested the positions of National Publicity Secretary and Organising Secretary respectively. He 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.
Akintunde outlined a three-point agenda for the new administration: leadership that listens; welfare and opportunities for members; and a stronger NIJ and 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.
On welfare and professional development, he promised to pursue initiatives that would create employment and career opportunities, training, mentorship and welfare support for members.
He also pledged stronger support for the Nigerian Institute of Journalism through infrastructure development, scholarships and advocacy, while promoting the professionalism, relevance and dignity of NIJ-trained journalists.
Addressing NIJAA chapters and members across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, Australia and other locations, Akintunde 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.
His message was clear: “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.
*Mark Akhuetie*
NIJAA
National Publicity Secretary
23 August 2023
