By Dan-Maryam Zayamu
Members of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ) have elected new set of officials that will pilot the affairs of the group for the next two years.
This followed the expiration of the tenure of the former executives led by Malam Hassan Zaggi.
The election which was peaceful but keenly contested saw Joseph Kadiri, a reporter of Independent Television (ITV) emerging as the President.
Other officers elected were Rachael Abuja of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as Vice President, and Frank Ajufo of Vision FM: Secretary.
Others are Yecenu Sasetu of Kiss FM: Treasurer; Uche Ugochukwu of NTA: Financial Secretary while Kazeem Biriowo of Tribune Newspapers won the post of Welfare/PRO.
Speaking while handing over the mantle of leadership to the new officials, the outgoing President, Malam Zaggi commended the members of the Association for the support and love they showed him over the years.
He, however, admonished the group to give maximum support to the new officials to enable them succeed.
“We have elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of our association for the next two years. Just the way you all gave me maximum support, kindly give same to the new leaders.
“They are not super-humans, hence, vulnerable to mistakes and errors. It is therefore, our responsibility to advice them in love for the growth of the Association. The new officials are our brothers and sisters, we did not elect them to disgrace them, hence, lets give them maximum support and encouragement.”
Responding on behalf of the newly elected officials, Kadiri commended members of the association for giving them the opportunity to serve.
He pledged that the new officers would work hard to take the association to greater heights.
Kadiri vowed that during his tenure members would have access to information that would help them to effectively discharge their responsibilities to their various organizations.
“We thank and appreciate you all for finding us worthy to lead you. We assure you that we shall be diligent in carrying out our responsibilities.
“We will work to ensure that you get prompt information to aid your reportage at all times.
“We humbly request that you give us your maximum support to enable us to succeed,” he stated.
He thanked the immediate past president of the association, Hassan Zaggi, of The Authority Newspapers, and the former President, Marcus Fatunmole of The ICIR, as well as the chairman of the electoral committee, Onyebuchi Ezigbo of Thisday Newspapers, for guidance towards ensuring a peaceful and credible elections.
