The Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has elected a new set of executives to steer the affairs of the union for the next three years, with Mr. Akeem Abas of the News Agency of Nigeria emerging as chairman.
Abas, who belongs to the Correspondents’ Chapel, clinched the top seat with 143 votes, defeating Mr. Raji Adebayo, also of the Correspondents’ Chapel, who polled 118 votes, and Mr. Olusola Oladapo of the Federal Information Chapel, who scored 59 votes.
In the contest for the vice chairmanship position, Mr. Abiodun Atilola of the State Information Chapel secured a comfortable victory with 205 votes, while his opponent, Mr. Sam Nwaoko of the Tribune Chapel, garnered 112 votes.
The secretaryship position was won by Mr. Temidayo Adu of the FRCN Chapel, who recorded 166 votes, defeating Mr. Adeniji Olamide of the State Information Chapel, who polled 149 votes.
In his acceptance speech, Abas expressed gratitude to members of the union, describing his emergence as a collective victory for journalists across the state.
“I stand before you today with a heart full of gratitude and humility,” he said. “I deeply appreciate the confidence you have placed in me through your votes. This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to every journalist across Oyo State who believes in unity, progress and a more vibrant NUJ.”
He pledged to run an administration anchored on fairness, transparency and professionalism.
“I will work with every chapel, every stakeholder and every colleague to build the council we all desire — a council driven by welfare, professionalism and respect for all,” he stated.
Declaring that the election produced no victor and no vanquished, Abas urged members to close ranks and move forward with a shared sense of purpose.
“At this juncture, I hereby declare a state of emergency on professionalism,” he added.
Meanwhile, the positions of Financial Secretary, Auditor and Assistant Secretary remain vacant and will be filled through a by-election at a later date.
