History was recorded on Thursday as the South West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) held a special meeting where new executive to pilot its affairs emerged in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State.
At the meeting held at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, members elected former South West Bureau Chief of the The Nation newspaper, Pastor Bisi Oladele as Chairman, while Mr Dapo Falade emerged as Vice Chairman. Taiwo Oluwadamilare was appointed as Secretary, while Joseph Okuwofu was named as Assistant Secretary.
Others included Mrs. Oluwatoyin Malik, who will serve as Treasurer; Temi Aboderin, who emerged as Financial Secretary, and Remi Oladoye, who retained his position as Public Relations Officer (PRO).
The process was coordinated by Mr Tunde Busari, who urged the new executive to uphold the trust placed in them and work towards advancing the association’s mission.
Speaking, the immediate past chairman of SWEGOP, Mr Olayinka Agboola, assured the new executive of his continued support and guidance, emphasising that his doors remain open for advice and collaboration.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman, Oladele, expressed gratitude to members for the confidence reposed in the new executive.
“We are very conscious of how challenging the journey has been to this stage. Thank you for trusting us with your votes to lead this association. We acknowledge the challenges SWEGOP faces, but with the support of the last executive and our members, we are confident in achieving our goals,” he said.
He commended Agboola for his remarkable contributions to the guild in the last nine years. Oladele also lauded Agboola for expanding SWEGOP’s membership as well as his dedication to strengthening the association.
The new chairman revealed that the house has been dissolved, adding that there will be a fresh registration for members, along with new rules of engagement and regulations for SWEGOP members.
He called for support and collaboration of all members to move the association forward.
Packaged by Alice Egbedele
