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A Director in the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Adewale Akodu, has emerged the new Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council.
He pledged to champion journalists’ welfare, defend their professional rights and strengthen their capacity.
Akodu defeated his challenger, Mr Innocent Anaba of the Vanguard Chapel, in Monday’s election, polling 465 votes against Anaba’s 21. Six votes were declared invalid.
A total of 492 votes were cast out of 813 registered voters, with 486 declared valid.
In other positions, Mr Philip Nwosu of The Sun Chapel was re-elected Vice Chairman unopposed, while Olayide Awosanya emerged Secretary, also unopposed.
Other members of the new State Working Committee elected unopposed were Adegboyega Oni, Assistant Secretary; Adeola Akindele, Treasurer; Oluwakemi Ishola, Financial Secretary; and Lydia Igbaroola, Auditor.
Akodu succeeded Adeleye Ajayi, while Awosanya took over from Tunde Olalere as Secretary, after they had spent six years in office.
The election was conducted by an Electoral Committee chaired by Wahab Akinlade of the Radio Nigeria Chapel.
The results were announced by the Returning Officer and NUJ Vice President, Zone B (South-West), Princess Ronke Afebioye Samo.
The NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, was represented at the ceremony by the Deputy National President, Mrs Abimbola Oyetunde.
Also present were the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Olatunbosun Ogunbanwo; former National Presidents of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs Toro Oladapo and Hajia Ifeanyiwa Omowole; as well as NAWOJ Lagos Chairperson, Jumoke Johnson.
Others included union elders and leaders, Funke Fadugba, Otunba Gbenga Onayiga and Bola Akingbade, as well as zonal and national officers of the union.
Yahya urged the newly elected executive to be accommodating and run an inclusive administration that would carry every member along. He also commended the immediate past leadership for its commendable performance and service to the union.
Speaking at his inauguration at the NUJ Lagos State Council Secretariat, 22, Iyalla Street, Alausa, Ikeja, Akodu said his administration would be anchored on three pillars: welfarism, professionalism and capacity building.
He pledged to implement the 10-point agenda on which he campaigned, promising practical initiatives to improve members’ working conditions, promote continuous professional development, strengthen ethical journalism and equip journalists with skills to thrive in an increasingly competitive, technology-driven media environment.
The new chairman said his administration would intensify engagement with media owners and employers to secure regular and timely salary payments, better remuneration and improved working conditions, while firmly defending members against threats to their rights, dignity and professional integrity.
He also promised an inclusive and transparent administration in which every member would enjoy equal recognition and opportunities to contribute, irrespective of chapel affiliation.
Akodu said the council would operate an open-door policy, encourage constructive criticism and ensure meaningful participation in decision-making. He added that his administration would strengthen ties with the NUJ National Secretariat, sister state councils and individual chapels, while pursuing strategic partnerships with relevant institutions and stakeholders.
Appealing for unity after the election, Akodu urged his opponent and members who supported opposing camps to put their differences aside and join hands with the new leadership.
“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 called on union elders, past leaders, senior colleagues, chapel executives and young journalists to contribute their experience and ideas to the success of the administration, describing his emergence as a call to service rather than a personal triumph.
