…Promises Support
It was an epoch-making event as the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists, Lagos Council, Dr. Qasim Akinreti swore- in the fourth Chairman of Photojournalists Association of Nigeria (PJAN) Lagos Chapter and five other Executives members of the Association who will pilot the affairs of the association for the next three years at a well attended ceremony on Saturday at Ladi Lawal Press Centre, NUJ, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
While addressing the gathering, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mr. Kola Akinro thanked PJAN members for their support throughout the electioneering campaign. He equally appreciated the quick and timely intervention of NUJ Lagos Council led by Akinreti for upholding the rule of law in the just concluded election.
Akinro reeled out the processes involved before the victorious candidates emerged which include the use of attendance registered, payment of dues amongst others.
While delivering, his acceptance speech, the newly sworn- in Chairman, Mr. Kola Olasupo promised to deliver his seven point agenda namely;
1: Prudent Management/ Accountability,
2: Welfarism for Members/Veterans
3: Corporate Partnership/Participation
4: Training/Retraining of our Members
5: Completion of PJAN Bylaw
6: Completion of PJAN Compendium and it’s Allocated Secretariat Office by NUJ Lagos Council
7: Periodic Brainstorming Session.
Olasupo, admonished all aggrieved members to come together for the interest of PJAN and jointly take it to an enviable height. He promised to complete the office allocated to PJAN before December through the supports of his friends.” My passion for service is the driving force” he said. Olasupo pledged to be chairman for all and listen to correction when erred.
In the same vein, Akinreti promised to work with the new PJAN Executives to achieve their aims and objective that will further boost the image of the association. “It important to always strive to improve on your skills, by acquiring more professional training.” “On our part, we shall ensure collaboration with NIJ on how to assist and arrange a part time Photography Diploma course for members of your association” , he said.
He advised the new executives to be prudent with the Association’s funds as well as keep proper records of spendings and transactions that will showcase transparency and accountability, because of the day of reckoning.
Akinreti also asked them to extend their hands of fellowship to the aggrieved members of PJAN. He however frowned at the sponsored social media stories against his person and noted that at the appropriate time, he shall do the needful.”
“I saw the libellous story sponsored on social media that I handpicked candidates, how come, am I a member of PJAN? The aggrieved members came to me to intervened and that is exactly what I did. At the appropriate time, I shall do the needful to clear my name”
He also used the occasion to tell the gathering all what he has done so far as Chairman NUJ Lagos and promised to do more if re-elected for the second term to consolidate on his achievements.
Earlier on, in his valedictory speech, the out going Chairman, Mr. Ademola Akinlabi said: “This is the first time in the history of the Association that one executive will successfully hand over to another executive”
He thanked the members for giving him the needed support during his tenure and went on to enumerate his achievements during his three years in office as chairman of the Association, urging the in-coming executives to do more.
The newly sworn-in PJAN executives are: Chairman, Kola Olasupo; Secretary, Sylvester Okoruwa; Assistant Secretary, Abiodun Omotosho; Financial Secretary, Adeleke Adebanjo;
Treasurer, David Adejo and
Internal Auditor, Kola Aliu.
Dignitaries at the event include:
Lagos NUJ, Secretary, Mr. Alfred Odifa, Internal Auditor, Mr. Isaac Ayodele who represents PJAN at NUJ as internal Auditor, Mr. Lekan Osiade, News Telegraph Chapel Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Fatile, G,M, Bound FM, others NUJ executives, Past Chairmen of PJAN, Elders of PJAN, Members, amongst others.