Mr Adewale Akodu, a former Chairman of the Lagos Information Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Monday emerged the new Chairman of the Lagos State Council of the union.
Akodu, a director in Lagos State Ministry of Information, polled 465 votes to defeat his opponent, Mr Innocent Anaba, who secured 21 votes.
Mrs Aderonke Samo, NUJ Vice-President, B Zone (South-West), who declared the results, announced Akodu as the winner of the election.
Samo said that the election recorded 492 votes cast, comprising 486 valid votes and six void votes. She said that the number of issued ballots was 492, while 813 voters were accredited for the election. Samo congratulated the newly elected executives and urged them to be magnanimous in victory.
She also urged those who lost the election to demonstrate sportsmanship and accept the outcome in the spirit of unity and the union’s collective interest.
Speaking, Mr Wahab Akinlade, Chairman of the NUJ Lagos State Council Electoral Committee, described the election as free and fair.
Akinlade said the committee provided a level playing field for all contestants, adding that the process was devoid of crisis and undue interference.
“The election has been free and fair. We have provided a level playing field for all contestants to participate in the process,” he said.
He urged members to close ranks after the election, stressing that the exercise should not create divisions within the union.
“There should be no winner or loser after the election. The NUJ remains a formidable body, and members should continue to work together for the progress of the union,” he said.
The outgoing Chairman of the Council, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, who completed his two-term in office, congratulated Akodu on his emergence.
Ajayi urged Akodu and other newly elected executives to embrace inclusive leadership, unity and purposeful service, while prioritising members’ welfare and professional development.
He expressed appreciation to members, chapel chairmen, executives and other stakeholders for their support and cooperation throughout his two-term tenure, urging them to extend the same support to the new administration.
Ajayi also called on members to put individual interests aside and work collectively towards building a stronger union, while urging the incoming leadership to sustain the achievements of the outgoing administration and address emerging challenges confronting journalists.
In his acceptance speech at the swearing-in ceremony, Akodu pledged to prioritise members’ welfare, professionalism and capacity building in his administration.
He said his administration would remain committed to the 10-point agenda presented during the electioneering campaign, with particular attention to the welfare, dignity, security and professional interests of journalists.
“In the last three weeks, we vigorously engaged, campaigned and solicited your support and votes based on our Ten-Point Agenda.
“Today, I, on behalf of other members of the new Executive, make an unequivocal commitment that our administration will remain faithful to the manifesto upon which we anchored our campaign.
“Welfarism, Professionalism and Capacity Building will be the pillars of our administration. “The welfare, dignity, security and professional interests of members will remain at the heart of our decisions and actions,” Akodu said.
The chairman pledged to intensify engagement with media owners and employers to secure regular payment of salaries, improved working conditions, better remuneration and respect for journalists’ rights.
“We will also prioritise the protection of members’ rights and interests at all times, ensuring that the Union does not remain silent when the welfare, dignity or professional integrity of any member is threatened.
“Our commitment is not merely to make promises but to pursue measurable results through purposeful engagement, strategic partnerships and consistent advocacy,” he added.
He also promised to promote unity, inclusiveness, transparency and accountability, assuring members of an open-door administration that would encourage constructive criticism and equal opportunities across all chapels.
Akodu called on his fellow contestant and other members who supported different camps during the election to close ranks, stressing that the election should not undermine the unity of the professional body.
“An election should never be allowed to destroy the bond of brotherhood that unites us as members of one professional family. The campaign is over; the task of building a stronger Union has just begun,” he said.
He urged members, including past leaders, elders, chapel executives and young journalists, to contribute their experience and ideas towards the success of the new administration, adding that leadership was a call to service rather than an opportunity to occupy an office.
The newly elected and inaugurated NUJ Lagos State Council executives are Adewale Akodu (Chairman); Philip Nwosu (Vice Chairman); Olayide Awosanya (Secretary); Gboyega Oni (Assistant Secretary); Adeola Akindele (Treasurer); Kemi Ishola (Financial Secretary); and Alaba Igbaroola (Auditor).
They were all presented with Certificates of Return and were formally inaugurated. The election and inauguration ceremony attracted media professionals and practitioners from across the state.
