Olatunji Egbewunmi, Gbenga Fashina and Sunday Adeyemi have emerged as new leaders of the Ogun West Independent Chapel of the NUJ in Ota
Egbewunmi, Fashina, Adeyemi Emerge NUJ Ogun West Chapel Leaders
By Lukman OMIKUNLE
The Ogun West Independent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has elected new leaders, with Comrade Olatunji Egbewunmi emerging as chairman alongside Gbenga Fashina and Sunday Adeyemi, who were elected secretary and treasurer respectively.
The trio emerged unopposed during the maiden election of the Ota-based chapel, in a process supervised by the Ogun State Council Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Akinwale Olanrewaju, alongside delegates from the state council.
The election was held at the Recreation Centre, Ilo-Awela, Ota, where members of the chapel gathered to formally establish its leadership structure.
Following the declaration of the results, Egbewunmi assumed the chairmanship, while Fashina was returned as secretary and Adeyemi as treasurer.
Speaking during the election, Olanrewaju commended members of the chapel for what he described as their commitment to the growth and development of the union.
He expressed appreciation for their cooperation and collective efforts in strengthening the chapel, stressing that unity and mutual respect remained essential to building a strong professional body.
The state NUJ chairman also recognised the contribution of Comrade Kayode Taiwo, the outgoing caretaker chairman, whom he described as one of the respected journalists who had played a significant role in sustaining the Ota-based chapel.
Olanrewaju praised Taiwo for his commitment to bringing members together and promoting the ideals of the union, noting that such efforts were important to strengthening professional solidarity and advancing the interests of journalists in Ogun West.
He urged members to maintain unity despite individual interests or differences, stressing that the strength of the union depended largely on members’ willingness to support one another and uphold the principles of journalism.
Olanrewaju also cautioned the newly elected officers against allowing their positions to create a sense of superiority over other members.
According to him, leadership within the union should be viewed as an opportunity to serve rather than an avenue for exercising authority over colleagues.
He charged the new officers to demonstrate humility, discipline and responsibility while maintaining cordial relationships with members, particularly senior journalists whose experience and contributions had helped sustain the union.
The NUJ state chairman further advised the new leadership to tap into the experience and guidance of senior members in strengthening the chapel.
He said effective leadership required patience, understanding and the ability to listen to members, adding that elected officers must always remember that they were representatives of the entire membership.
Olanrewaju also called on associate members of the chapel to take steps to upgrade their status to full membership of the NUJ.
He described the transition as an important step towards greater participation in the activities and responsibilities of the union, urging eligible members to familiarise themselves with the relevant requirements and fulfil the necessary obligations.
He also explained that continuous membership revalidation was necessary to maintain an accurate register, strengthen the credibility of the chapel and ensure that members remained properly recognised within the union.
In his acceptance remarks, the newly elected chairman, Egbewunmi, pledged to run an administration centred on members’ welfare, unity and inclusiveness.
He said his leadership would also prioritise advocacy and protection of members, capacity building, open communication and the promotion of a positive public image for the chapel.
Egbewunmi assured members that their welfare and professional development would remain central to his administration, promising that their interests, concerns and general well-being would receive adequate attention.
He stressed that the strength of the chapel rested on the unity of its members and pledged to promote an inclusive union in which every member would feel valued, respected and carried along in activities and decision-making.
The outgoing caretaker chairman, Kayode Taiwo, urged members to sustain the spirit of cooperation and work collectively for the continued growth of the chapel.
Taiwo also charged journalists to uphold the ethics and principles of the profession, stressing the importance of professionalism, responsibility, integrity and mutual respect.
He urged members to remain committed to the ideals of the NUJ and protect the dignity of journalism through their conduct and professional activities.
The emergence of the new leadership marks a new phase for the Ogun West Independent Chapel, with the Egbewunmi-led executive expected to consolidate the chapel’s structure while focusing on members’ welfare, professional development and unity.
