By Elizabeth Ikegima
The Electoral Commission of the Association of Campus Journalists (ACJ), UNIBEN, on Thursday, March 2, 2023, announced the newly elected Executives of the campus press body. This comes barely a day after INEC announced Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the president-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The ACJ UNIBEN electoral committee, headed by the outgoing Vice President of the association, CJ Deborah Ogunmola, after concluding the electoral process, announced the names and offices of the newly elected, having CJ Odabi V. Collins, return as President of the Association.
CJ Deborah, in a statement released on Thursday, confirmed the credibility of the electoral procedures and congratulated the new executives. She also noted that a date for the inauguration will be communicated soon.
Shortly after the Ex-VP made the announcement, the president-elect, Odabi V. Collins gave his acceptance speech, using the medium to congratulate the new executives, while expressing pleasure in his return to serve the association again.
“Special congratulations to the newly Elected Executives. It is with great pleasure that I accept to serve as your Elected President,” CJ Collins said.
“This Association is one I hold dear to heart and am always willing to make sacrifices for. We have come a long way together since I joined this Association in the year 2020, and the journey has been so far, fruitful,” he added.
The 300-level student of Biochemistry, while noting his experience in the association, expressed confidence in the newly elected executive members to move the association forward.
He added, “Having served in the last administration as ACJ UNIBEN President, I, and my amazing Excos, CJ Jeremiah and CJ Deborah discovered potentials, challenges, errors, and opportunities in this Association. Using this second opportunity you have given me, I, alongside returning Sec. Gen CJ Jeremiah, my able VP Taiwo in whom I so much believe, and every other elected Executive, will utilise every opportunity to the advantage of all members and will ensure progress, and productivity in the Association of Campus Journalists, University of Benin.”
The elated president however appreciated the guidance of the founders of the Association, tagging them as impact makers.
“The guidance and kind words of our founding parents, CJ Ayoola Adeleke, and CJ Precious Ogbeide have impacted us positively, contributing greatly to our growth as a body, and I say a special thank you to them.”
Other candidates elected into the association include;
• CJ Adeyinka Adeola Taiwo- The Vice President
• CJ Jeremiah Ebedi- The Secretary-General
• CJ Obende Ofuje Deborah- The Public Relations Officer
• CJ Christopher Deborah Iniobong- The Financial Secretary
• CJ Ikegima Elizabeth- The Welfare Secretary
The ACJ UNIBEN is the officially recognised Campus Press outfit of the University of Benin, under the umbrella of the National Association of Campus Journalists, which is recognised locally and internationally.