By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
The Daily Post Online Newspaper Correspondent in Osun State, Mr Olaniyi Ajibola has becomes the newly elected Chairman of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel in the state.
Ajibola, who polled a total of 18 votes to defeat the former Chairman, Hameed Oyegbade of Daily Trust Newspaper, with 10 votes in a peaceful conducted election supervised by the state Chairman of the NUJ, Mr Kehinde Ayantunji, in his acceptance speech described his victory as a call to service, saying he was ready to justify the confidence reposed in him by members, and uphold high professional standard.
According to him, journalism remains an illumination and conscience of the society , which saddled media practitioners with obligation of setting agenda for socioeconomic development and political advancement.
” Without mincing words, this is a dawn of a new era in our chapel, it is indeed an era of high professional standard, an era of accountability and transparency as a way of living up to our statutory obligation as the conscience of the society and determinant of public discourse through agenda setting.
“We shall continue to do more in our quest to objectively and accurately report our society in such a way that engender all round development and positive political culture”, he resorted.
Ajibola, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife was a former Parliamentarian at the Students’ Representative Council .
He was later elected as the Chairman of Electoral Commission /Acting President of the Students’ Union of the citadel.
He started his media career with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) before joining one of the leading Online platforms in Nigeria (Daily Post) as its State Correspondent in Osun State.
He was the immediate past Secretary of the chapel, and former member of the Osun NUJ Peace and Reconciliation Committee.
While speaking, the NUJ State Chairman, Mr Kehinde Ayantunji said he was highly elated for the way and manner the election was conducted while calling other Chapels under the state council as well as politicians to borrow example from the Osun NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel.
Ayantunji who called for the members unalloyed support to the newly elected executive of the chapel enjoined the new executives to see their various position as a call to service saying they must be always searching for the welfare of their members across board.
Similarly, the NUJ Zonal Secretary who was also at the election warned the new executives to always guide towards the confidence reposed in them by the members of the chapel saying people will be watching their day to day activity.
Meanwhile, Mr Lateef Dada of Blueprint Newspaper emerged as the Secretary of the chapel with total of 19 votes to defeat Mr Yinka Salam of Voice of Nigeria who scored 9 votes.
Other members of the Executive who emerged unopposed are: Ayobami Agboola of Odua News, for the position of Assistant Secretary, Mr Jide Idowu of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) for the position of Treasurer, and Mrs Yetunde Oladejo of Western Post Newspaper as Financial Secretary.
