APPRECIATION FOR A MERITORIOUS 6-YEAR SERVICE
I humbly give thanks to Almighty God for granting me the privilege, wisdom and strength to successfully complete my six-year tenure as Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council. Time flies.
I also wish to express my profound gratitude to the National President of NUJ, Mallam Alhassan Yahya, who has always been there to offer brotherly advice, guidance and encouragement.
My sincere appreciation goes to the Deputy National President of NUJ, Dr. Bimbola Oyetunde, who has been there for me as a sister, constantly encouraging and guiding me.
I cannot forget the National Secretary, Mr Achike Chude, for his versatility and invaluable contributions.
Immense thanks to my darling wife, Funmilola Ajayi and my children for their adequate support and understanding.
Special thanks go to my brother and friend, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for his contributions to the growth of journalism and his unwavering support.
I also wish to appreciate the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), headed by Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, and the management of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency, headed by Dr. Pius Akutah, for their support throughout my tenure.
My greatest joy is that within these six years, peace returned to the Lagos State Council, and we became united as one big family. I worked with wonderful executive members who cooperated with me in all ramifications. The Executive Council was supportive and always ensured that we recorded successes.
We recorded numerous achievements,
One of our major accomplishments was the speedy completion of the two-storey NUJ Secretariat in Lagos by Reverend Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi. May God continue to bless her Ministry and her husband, Rev. Dr. Ademuyiwa Ajayi.
The commissioning of the building in January 2023 was celebrated and graced by the former Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Osoba, who was the Chairman of the occasion. My gratitude, my appreciation to Chief Osoba.
We have also been able to equip the Secretariat with furniture and desktop computers.
Capacity building was also at the forefront of our programmes.
For the first time in nine years, we organised a very successful Media Games.
The welfare of journalists took centre stage throughout my tenure.
We toiled day and night to source funds but God was always coming to our rescue.
We also ensured the regular maintenance of the Union’s property despite the lack of funds.
At Abaren Land, we did our best through provisional survey, boundary tracing, reallocation, the opening of roads for easy access, as well as the arrangement of corner piece for members.
Our achievements are too numerous to mention.
At this juncture, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the following individuals who have assisted me in climbing this ladder:
Chief Chris Isiguzo, former NUJ National President; Mr. Lanre Ogundipe, former NUJ President; Alhaji Waheed Odusile, former NUJ President; Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Malam Ali. M. Ali; Mr Buki Ponle. Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Lagos State, Mr Gbenga Omotoso; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Mr Olatunbosun Ogunbanwo; Mrs. Olufunke Fadugba; Alhaji Wahab Oba; Mr. Deji Elumoye; Mrs. Toro Oladapo; Mrs. Adenike Sodipo, Director General of Leye Ajayi Campaign Team; the Integrity Group, Otunba Gbenga Onayiga; Mr Amos Dunia; President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Eze Anaba; High Chief Yinka Amosu; NLC Chairperson, Lagos Chapter, Mrs Funmilayo Sessi; Alhaji Layiwola Shittu; High Chief Boniface Aniebonam; Rev. Jonathan Nicol; Hajia Maryam Ladi-Ibrahim, former Auditor-General, Kogi State; Prof. Stephen Ocheni, former Minister of State for Labour; Dr Samuel Nzekwe; Dr. Bolaji Akinola; Pa Bamidele Ewelamoun; Mrs Bola Akigbehin; Mr Tayo Ikujuni; Mrs. Biola Beckley; Mr. Tunde Olalere; Mr. Phillip Nwosu; Mr. Olayide Awosanya (Mr Capable); Mr. Innocent Anaba; Mr. Kemi Ishola; Mrs. Alaba Igbaroola; Mrs. Adeola Akindele; Mr. Isaac Ayodele; Dr Adeola Ekine; Mrs. Jumoke Johnson; Mrs. Iyabo Ogunjuyigbe; Mr. Adebowale Oshundun; Mr. Gboyega Oni; Alhaja Ify Omowole; Alhaja Bola Akingbade; Mr. Samuel Dada; Mr Tayo Akanle; Mr Jide Lawal; Mr Kayode Oyekanmi; Mrs Tosin Odusola; Mrs Julie Ekong; Mr Olisa Egbunike; Mr. Sylva Okereke; Mr. Edwin Nwachukwu; Mr. Yusuf Yunus; Mr. Wale Akodu; Mrs. Keji Akodu; Mrs Nike Adefolaju; Mr. Funso Olojo; Dr. Ovie Edomi; Mr. Bayo Akomolafe; Mrs. Udeme Clement; Mr. Yemi Adeleye; Late Mr. Akinola Ariyo; Late Mr. Alfred Odifa; Late Ray Ugochukwu; Mr. Gbenga Fatile; Mrs. Grace Alegba; Mr. Adepote Arowojobe; Mr. Raji Rasaki; Mrs Vera Chukwumerije, Mrs Patience Okoh, Mr. Kayode Somoye; Mr. Ayankunle Ayanlakin; Mr. Ben Nwaru; Mr. Ayo Ojedokun; Mr. Biodun Akinbusuyi; Mr. Fola Adeyemi; Mr. Dele Akinsola; Mr Ayo Lasisi; Mr Kola Akinro; Mr Wahab Akinlade; Mr. Lanre Olujimi; Alhaja Aisha Cole; Mr. Shina Thorpe; Mt Lanre Bajulaiye; Mr. Shina Odunuga; Mr. Segun Ogundeji; Mr. Tayo Ogunbiyi; Mr. Olumide Shogunle; Mr Debo Adeniji; Mt Tajudeen Owolabi; Mr Kayode Muse; Mr Tony Nezianya; Mr. Taju Atitebi; Mr. Goke Olatoye; and Mr. Peter Ejiofor.
I also want to express my gratitude to all members of committees that worked tirelessly, especially the Abaren Land Committee.
I sincerely apologise to those whose names were not mentioned. Their omission was not deliberate. Kindly pardon me.
My gratitude also goes to past and present leaders of NUJ in Zone A, ably led by Princess Aderonke Afebioye Samo. They contributed immensely to the success of my tenure.
I owe immense thanks to my honourable State Executive Council (SEC) members, who always kept me on my toes and demonstrated unwavering solidarity.
I also appreciate members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) for their cordial relationships and support. I will greatly miss the brainstorming sessions at NEC meetings.
My deep gratitude to all members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) for consistent advice.
To my dear Secretariat staff, I say THANK YOU.
However, in the course of this six-year journey, it was difficult for me to satisfy all. I may have stepped on some toes, and for this, I sincerely plead for forgiveness.
Special thanks go to all members of my immediate constituencies – the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Family; Federated Maritime Media Chapel, and Powerful Pen Chapel. You are all wonderful and have remained pillars of my support.
Finally, as I bow out of office on Monday, November 9, I solicits your prayers and assure you that I will continue to cherish you all as my dear friends.
MANY THANKS
Mr. Adeleye Ajayi
Outgoing Chairman
NUJ Lagos State Council
