By Debo Omilani
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council has elected new executive members to pilot the affairs of the union for the next three years.
The union elected Comrade Soji Amosu from the National Orientation Agency (NOA) as the new chairman.
Amosu, a former Secretary of the union, polled 164 votes to defeat Remi Olugbenro of Paramount FM Chapel, who scored 141 votes, while Abiodun Ogundipe of Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC) Chapel polled 116 votes.
The Ogun State Bureau Chief of New Telegraph newspaper, Kunle Olayeni, from the Correspondents Chapel, was elected as Vice Chairman after polling 270 votes to defeat Daud Olanrewaju of Local Government Information Chapel, who scored 128 votes.
For the position of Secretary, Ayokunle Ewuoso of State Ministry of Information Chapel polled 224 votes to defeat a fellow Chapel member, Goke Oyebade, who scored 183 votes.
Abiodun Taiwo of Daily Times newspaper and member of Correspondent Chapel emerged as the Assistant Secretary, having polled 198 votes while his opponent, Bisi Alarape, polled 188 votes.
Three other contestants, Abiodun Lawal, Anthony Gandonu and Abiola Otunuga, for the positions of internal auditor, treasurer and financial secretary respectively, were elected unopposed.
The results were announced by the Returning Officer and Assistant National Secretary, Comrade Gbenga Bamidele, after the election held at the union secretariat in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.
In his acceptance speech after the new executive was inaugurated, Amosu described his emergence as victory for all, adding that there was no victor, no vanquished.
The new chairman said the outcome was a pointer to the fact that members of the Ogun NUJ indeed craved for change and were eager to take the Council to the desired next level.
He expressed his readiness to run an all-inclusive administration with the view of taking Ogun NUJ to greater heights.
He, therefore, implored members of the council to cooperate with the new administration, submitting their contributions will go a long way to reposition Ogun NUJ.
Amosu said: “My dear colleagues, it heartens to see you all buying into my candidature and also nurture this love to this level by voting massively for me. Profoundly and heartily, I thank you.
“The result of this election is a pointer that you all crave for change and eager to take our Council to the desired next level. It is indeed my heartfelt joy.
“This is why I like to let you know that it is not my own victory but a collective one that will among others translate our union to one we can individually and collectively be proud of.
“By my evaluation of your resolve, I see dedication, I see commitment, I see service, I see success, I see resilience, I see resourcefulness. Above all, I see drive needed in transforming our ailing union to a strong and purposefully structured.”
