Egbemode, Sani, Soniyi head 3 IPI Nigeria committees

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has inaugurated three standing committees to help drive the organisation’s objective of promoting journalism practice and media freedom in Nigeria.

In particular, a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and immediate past Osun State Commissioner for Information, Funke Egbemode leads the Fund Raising Committee while Hajia Sani, the Director, Digital Media, Voice of Nigeria (VON) is the chairperson of the Programme Committee; and the Advocacy Committee is headed by IPI Nigeria’s Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi respectively.

Inaugurating the committees, Kadaria Ahmed, a member of the IPI Nigeria’s Board of Trustees (BOT), noted that the challenges ahead of the executive committee are enormous and that it is a right decision to constitute the committees to help drive the organisation’s objectives.

Ahmed, speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the IPI Nigeria Board of Trustees, Kabiru A. Yusuf, pledged the readiness of the BOT to support the executives at all times.

Earlier, the President of IPI Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, explained that the committees were constituted to enhance the work of the organisation, bring in more inclusiveness and more buyin of the work IPI Nigeria does.

According to a statement issued by IPI Nigeria’s Secretary, Ahmed I. Shekarau, Mojeed appealed to members to pay their membership and annual dues to enable the organisation execute laudable programmes that members would benefit from.

It added that the committees’ chairpersons pledged their readiness to work for IPI Nigeria even as they solicit the support of all members.

Also, an Executive Board member of IPI Global, Raheem Adedoyin, said the inauguration of the committees is one of the best steps taken so far by IPI Nigeria.

He advised IPI Nigeria to continue to engage with the Nigerian authorities in its advocacy programmes, and to avoid unnecessary confrontation as much as possible. He advised members to to save money, rather than wait for external funding, so as to enable them fund their trips abroad to attend some of the training sessions and congresses of the IPI, adding that they stand to benefit more from such sessions.

“The committees and their memberships are as follows: Fund Raising- Mrs. Funke Egbemode, Chairperson, Mr. Aliu Akoshile, CEO/Editor-inChief, NatureNews 247, Mr. Fred Ohwahwa, Senior Partner, Tokee Consult Limited, Mrs. Victoria Ibanga, Publisher, The Next Edition, Mr. Bashir Adigun, Special Adviser to Kwara State Governor on Political Communication; and Mrs. Rafatu Salami, Assistant Director, Digital

Media, Voice of Nigeria (VON)

“Programming -Hajia Sani, Chairperson, Dr. Elizabeth Ikem, former Provost, Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Mr. Ken Ugbechie, Publisher, Political Economist NG, Hajiya Zainab O. Suleiman, Chairman, Editorial Board, Blueprint; and Ahmed I. Shekarau, Group Executive Director, Media Trust Group.

“Advocacy- Mr. Toby Soniyi, Chairman, Mrs. Catherine Agbo, Deputy Editor, 24th Century Chronicle, Mr. Ukeh Onouha, Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief, The Sun, Mr. Danlami Nmodu, mni, Publisher, Newsdiaryonline; and Dr. Hameed M. Bello, Chief Operating Officer, Peoples Daily”, the statement added.