Emmanuel Clement.
Members of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism Alumni Association (NIJAA) have elected a new set of national executives, with a mandate to strengthen unity, collaboration and professional engagement among graduates of the institution.
The election, which recorded 197 total votes, produced Olumuyiwa Akintunde as President, while Oluwayomi Oluwapelumi emerged Organising Secretary after a keenly contested race.
Oluwayomi Oluwapelumi polled 127 votes to defeat his challenger, Ake Ayodeji, who scored 70 votes to clinch the Organising Secretary position.
In other positions, the votes were largely in favour of consensus candidates and the following people emerged as winners:
President–Olumuyiwa Akintunde
Vice President–Adedola Isabella Omwen
General Secretary–Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji
Assistant Secretary–Chika Nnamani
National Publicity Secretary–Mark Akhuetie
Legal Adviser–Adegbemi Adewale 
Investigator news reports that members described the election as a critical step toward consolidating the association and positioning NIJAA for greater impact.
Reacting to her victory, the new Organising Secretary,Oluwayomi Oluwapelumi, expressed appreciation to members for the confidence reposed in her.
She described her emergence as “a call to service” and extended an olive branch to her co-contestant.
According to her,the new administration will be driven by inclusion, teamwork and shared responsibility, with the goal of advancing the interests of NIJ alumni and strengthening the bond among graduates.
She added that she would work closely with the President-elect and other executive members to develop programmes and initiatives that will engage members and project the vision of the association.
Investigator news gathered that with the new leadership now in place, attention is expected to shift from electioneering to governance as alumni look forward to measurable achievements from the new executive council.
“The contest is over, but the work has only just begun,” a member said after the results were announced.
