The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has approved the appointment of Otunba Gbenga Onayiga as Chairman of the Organising Committee for the forthcoming NUJ Media Icon Awards.
Also appointed to serve on the committee is the Chairman of the NUJ Ebonyi State Council, Comrade Samson Nwafor, alongside 11 other members drawn from various state councils of the union across the country.
The appointments were approved at the recently concluded NEC meeting of the union held in Abuja and presided over by the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya.
Other members of the committee are Tukur Mohammed, NUJ Vice President, Zone A; Ibrahim Musa Maizare, Chairman of the Zamfara State Council; Rojab Muhammed, Chairman of the Yobe State Council; Tonye Yemoleigha, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council; Ismail Ibrahim, Chairman of the Jigawa State Council; Leke Adegbite, Chairman of the Ondo State Council; and Ayuku Pwaspo, Chairman of the Plateau State Council.
The committee also includes Salihu Mohammed Alkali, Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council; Tunde Olalere, Secretary of the Lagos State Council; Olayide Awosanya, Assistant Secretary of the Lagos State Council; and veteran journalist, Sylvester Okereke, of the Lagos NUJ Council.
The Media Icon Awards Committee is expected to identify, screen and nominate veteran journalists who have distinguished themselves in the practice of journalism and contributed significantly to national development and other sectors of society.
According to the union, nominees for the awards must have made remarkable contributions to the journalism profession and positively impacted the growth and development of the country through their service and commitment.
Speaking on the importance of the committee, NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, expressed confidence in the competence, experience and integrity of the members to successfully execute the assignment.
He said the union remained committed to recognising journalists who have paid their dues and upheld the highest standards of professionalism in the media industry.
Yahya noted that honouring distinguished media practitioners would promote excellence, strengthen journalism practice in Nigeria and encourage greater dedication to national development.
The NUJ President congratulated Onayiga and other members of the committee on their appointments and wished them success in carrying out their responsibilities.
Onayiga is widely regarded for his experience in organising major journalism events and had previously chaired the planning committee of the last historic NUJ Media Icon Awards, a role that contributed significantly to the success of the programme.
