Breaking:Biodun Olalere Wins Osun NUJ Election Again

Comrade Biodun Olalere, a journalist with Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) has again been re-elected as the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun Council.

Biodun Olalere

Olalere had won the February 11, 2016 chairmanship election before it was controversially annulled by the National President of the NUJ, Mr Waheed Odusile.

Olalere won the January 25, 2017 fresh election with 143 votes while his opponent, Mr Dele Ajayi polled 124 votes.

Also, Mr Boladale Bamigbola, the correspondent of National Mirror Newspaper in Osun State won the secretary election with 168 votes against his opponent Elujola who has 105 votes.

Olarere emerged as the Chairman of the NUJ, Osun Council after defeating his opponent, Ajayi Dele, in a keenly contested election.

While Olarere had 143 votes, Ajayi got124‎ votes in the election that was coordinated and monitored by officials from national NUJ.‎

Other officials that emerged during election were secretary, Bamigbola Boladele and internal auditor, AbdulRazaq Alege.

Ayantunji Kehinde and Wasiu Ajadosu emerged unopposed as vice-chairperson and financial secretary respectively.

After the election results were declared, journalists were seen dancing and hugging themselves.

It would be recalled that Olarere, Bamgbola and Alege earlier contested and won in an election annulled by the ‎national NUJ in 2016.

With this victory, Olarere would be serving the NUJ Osun Council as the chairperson for the second time.

Giving his accep‎tance speech after being sworn-in, Olarere commended the journalists for believing in the aspirations of the elected officials.

Olarere, who commenced his speech with victory songs, appealed to all journalists in the state to unite for the progress of the profession.

He lamented that election among the journalists almost tarnished the image of the profession in the state.

He, however, appealed to politicians to desist from influencing NUJ elections, saying external influence caused the crisis witnessed after the annulled election.

He said, “I thank all those who fought for this victory.  I have learnt so many lessons but I thanked God for making this a success. It is a new dawn, and a period to come together again.

“There is no division, what we had was external interference. We have always remained one. There is opposition party in NUJ and we will continue to work together for progress of the profession.”

On his part, Bamgbola said the new administration would promote professionalism.

“We will continue to promote professionalism. This is a effort which has a lot to do with professionalism,” he added.‎