DEBO ADEOYE, IBADAN
COMRADE ADEMOLA BABALOLA of the Fresh FM, Abeokuta defeated the incumbent, ADEWUMI FANIRAN to emerge the new chairman of the Oyo state Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The elections that commenced as fixed around 10am on Wednesday 18, December, 2019 was described as peaceful by the delegates, the election umpires from the national, as well as the security agencies assigned to ensure peace and order is maintained.
Before the commencement of the elections the election umpires sent by the national body of the Union the Senior Assistant National Secretary of NUJ, MR. GBEMIGA BAMIDELE and the Southwest Zonal Secretary had earlier met with the chairmen and secretary from 7 of 10 chapels in Oyo State, 1 other chapel joined later.
The chapel’s executives examined the modalities and election process and granted their approval for the commencement of the election.
The DSS, Nigeria Police and NSCDC were the security agencies that ensured a peaceful conduct of the elections. No casualty was recorded, no arrest was made and the Journalists exercised their responsibility as one big family.
MR DEMOLA BABALOLA of Fresh FM polled 179 votes to emerge chairman of the state council of the union having defeated his only rival, MR ADEWUMI FANIRAN of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), who polled six votes.
Others members of the new executive are SOLA OLADAPO of Federal Information Chapel who polled 175 votes to emerge, Secretary, while his rival, BOLA OGUNLAYI of Time Nigeria Magazine had 10 votes.
AKEEM ABASS of News Agency of Nigeria won the post of treasurer after polling 167 votes to defeat MRS. BUSOLA ADETUNJI of the State Ministry of Information who polled 18 votes while MR ABIODUN ATILOLA of the state information ministry emerged as Finacial Secretary unopposed as well as DAUDA ADEROGBA of local government information officers as assistant Secretary.
There was wild jubilation after the conclusion of the election and announcement of results of the three positions contested for. The swearing-in of the newly elected officers was immediately conducted by MR. ADEBAYO SALAWU, an Ibadan based legal practitioner, in the presence of the Senior Assistant National Secretary of NUJ, MR. GBEMIGA BAMIDELE.
While speaking with journalists after the election, the new chairman ADEMOLA BABALOLA promised to uphold the constitution of the union during his tenure as well as treat all members with fairness and equity as well as giving priority to their welfare.
He thanked all members who supported him and pledged to lead the union and promise to be chairman to all.
” There is a better future for our union. The election has come and gone, we are one big family in NUJ. I appeal to all and sundry to be part of this new
administration.
While assessing the processes, the deputy national publicity of the People’s Democratic Party who is also a veteran journalist PRINCE DIRAN ODEYEMI and former chairman, Nigeria Union Of Journalists, Ogun State council WOLE SOKUNBI said journalists must always be good conscience of the society in all they do.
Some leaders of the union urged the new executives must reflect on the past and fulfil its promises to uplift the union.
Other members of the union assured of their readiness to support the new executives to achieve its laudable welfare programs for members.
