The electoral committee of the Association of Practitioners of Community Media in Nigeria {APCOM} yesterday has screened aspirants who are contesting for its executive positions. The exercise which took place at the APCOM secretariat, Ilupeju, was well attended by aspirants who hope to run the affairs of the association and take it to the next level in the next two years. The chairman of the electoral Committee, Prince Obafemi Adesanya, publisher of Pivot News, in his opening remarks has urged all aspirants to cooperate with the committee as he pledged that his team made up of Mrs. Abosede Adelaja of Vanguard Newspaper and Mr. Idris Kasumu of Lagos community updates as secretary, is committed to transparency of the exercise.
Mr Dayo Akintobi during the screening
The screening commenced with the office of the President which is contested by the incumbent, Mr Adedayo Akintobi, publisher of Ilupeju Today, Ikeja GRA and Lekki Today, seeking re-election for a second term. Akintobi was asked to give an account of his administration in the two years that he was president, and why he is seeking a re-election. The achievements, challenges and the future of the association thus far in his first and subsequent tenure if elected, he {Akintobi} admitted that the association may have made progress collectively from its registration as a national body which represents all community media practitioners in Nigeria, the June 12th Gala Night event, the two day workshop on Strategic Communication with the Lagos State Government and others; yet there is more work to do. On the future of the association, APCOM incumbent President, Dayo Akintobi noted that as a national body, the association will focus on membership drive nationwide to represent its objectives and to see to the welfare of its members through seeking valuable partnerships and trainings with corporate organizations and CSOs. Having met the criteria set by the electoral committee, which includes being a financial member, attendance of not less than fifty percent of meetings, he was subsequently cleared as being eligible to contest for the election.
Mr. Abel Lazarus, publisher The Alimosho Mail Newspaper was screened for the position of Financial Secretary also for a second term, when asked why he is vying for the office for another term, he {Abel} said he had wished the whole executive members were returned for a second term to enable them position the association to an enviable and independent status, however he agreed that the infusion of new members in the executive is a healthy development that will add fresh ideas to its operations. On his office he noted that as an accountant, he hopes to set the association records to the generally accepted position and to use his office to push for revenue generation. He was also cleared by the committee having met the required criteria.
Mr. Michael Leshi, Content Developer for Ikeja GRA, he aspire the office of Assistant General Secretary. Leshi Took his turn to meet the committee, when asked why he is vying for the office, he responded that he has been instrumental for most of the correspondence of the association despite not been a member of the executive board, he further stated that if elected into the position, there will be a great synergy with the secretary which will make the handling of the association’s correspondence seamless. Having met with other requirements he was cleared and declared a candidate for the position of Assistant Secretary.
Pastor Joe Ihitegbulem, publisher Oshodi Post also faced the committee as he hopes to occupy the office of the Treasurer, the committee asked him why he was interested in the treasury of the association, in his response he cited his experience from several associations and CDA where he plays similar roles and hopes to bring his wealth of experience to bear if elected as the treasurer of the association. He was also asked on how he will handle the finances of the association, he highlighted the roles of every executive member as he stated that being the treasurer does not give him access to the association’s funds owing the fact that the Financial secretary receives, records before handing over to him and similar processes and even more are followed that include authorization before disbursement from his office. He affirmed that his role will be more of advisory and making sure that funds are judiciously expended. He was subsequently cleared by the committee.
Mr. Abayomi Adejumo, publisher Festac Weekly, had his turn to face the electoral committee, as he aspire the office of the Vice President, he was asked reason behind his aspiration which he responded that the association needs fresh ideas and passion to steer it to its next level, which is what he will be bringing on board through the office of the vice president, he was asked how he intends to achieve his missions considering his role as the Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, he responded that though the office may have kept him away for a while but that he has factored his aspiration into his office and put mechanism on ground to allow him see to the affairs of the association. He was given a waiver on one of the criteria as he was cleared as a candidate.
Mr. Olalekan Lawal, publisher Kosofe Inside-Out and the incumbent secretary during his screening told the committee that he believes he still has a lot to offer the association as the secretary and the reason he is re-contesting for the position and without much questions he was cleared as the committee averged for his performamce thus far.
Mr Leke Adeseri and Mr Idris Aina contesxting for the 2offices of Vice president and public relation officer respectively were yet to arrive for screening before the departure of our correspondent, though he news of Mr Adeseri filtered in while Mr Aina was unavoidably absent due to his work schedule as the committee was informed and his screening will be done on at a later date to be communicated to him by the committee.
With the screening exercise almost done, the association hopes to elect its members into the executive board during its Annual general meeting scheduled for January 17, 2020 where candidates are expected to have a minimum of 50% votes as stipulated in its constitution for a two year tenure.
