How Osoba Emerged Chairman of Nigerian Institute of Journalism Governing Council

Ololade Adeyanju/

Former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba has been unanimously appointed as the new Council Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Lagos, 30 years after he left the position.

The appointment was announced on Tuesday after a meeting by the governing council of the Institute held at its chamber, the first since the passage of the late chairman Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua.

The President of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, was in attendance.

The Publisher and veteran journalist Mr, Sam Amuka Pemu introduced the new Chairman of the council who was unanimously adopted by member of the council in session, while a former President of Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Mr Ray Ekpu was also appointed as Deputy Chairman.

A statement by the Acting Registrar of the Institute Mrs. Patricia Kalesanwo says, the assumption of Osoba as the chairman of the council 30 years after he left the position is to explore wealth of knowledge, administrative skill, professional depth, and goodwill to reposition the institute in this era of technology driven communication industry.

The meeting also resolved that the Chairman of the NIJ alumni association be incorporated into the council in Ex-officio capacity with no voting right, explaining that, this is to enable the old student to appropriately contribute to the positioning of their Alma-mater.

The meeting also resolved that following the expiration of the tenure of the Provost, Mr. Gbemiga Ogunleye, council thanked him for the services and wish him the best in his future endeavor from the end of August 2020.

Council directed its establishment committee to place advertisement and screen suitable candidate for the office of provost immediately, and that all standing committees should be meeting regularly as appropriate and submit working papers for the council to fast track the repositioning drive.

The Council commended what it described as the untiring efforts of leaders in the profession including Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, Sam Amuka and the late Isa-Funtua in steering the ship of the institute up till the moment.

Besides observing a minute silence in honour of the late Chairman, the Council resolved that a day of tribute be organized by the school management in his honour.

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