Delta Online Publishers’ Return All Interim C’ttee Members As Fresh Exco

The Delta Online Publishers’ Forum (DOPF) has returned all members of its interim management committee as new elected executive committee of the body for a term of two years.

This followed the dissolution of the interim management committee which had piloted the affair of the body since 2017, when the body was formed.

Recalls that the interim committee of the forum was appointed to consolidate the body and come out with a working constitution for the body.

The nomination and subsequent affirmation of the new leadership followed the dissolution of the interim administration and setting up of a credentials/electoral committee headed by Mr Albert Ograka, Editor-In-Chief, Blank NEWS Online and Mr Abel Johngold, Editor-In-Chief, Spade Nigeria, as Chairman and Secretary respectively.

The new Executive Committee (Exco) inaugurated on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at the forum’s office in Asaba, is to run for 2 years which is the constitutional tenure of the association.

Mr Ograka who is also the Secretary, DOPF Board Of Trustees (BOT) noted that due to the quarterly meeting arrangement of the Forum, election for new Exco might linger to next year which will cause the administration a lot as pressing matters needed urgent attention.

The electoral Chairman having considered the constitutional requirements for electing DOPF officers, called for an immediate nomination of interested members to fill the vacant position.

The dissolution of the interim committee and its subsequent affirmation as newly elected committee followed a motion moved by the Publisher of Emerald Nigeria, Mr Austin Oyibode.

Moving the motion, Oybode argued that the retention of the interim leadership was for the best interest of the forum to enable them consolidate on the gains made from the formation stage of the body.

He said that the committee gave the Forum a great push from its idealist stage to a recognized body, adding that, the Forum which was still in its early state can not afford the rumbles of politics.

The motion which had no dissenting voice, was seconded by the Editor-In-Chief of Delta Decide, Mr Shadrack Egbonimali and subsequently upheld by a two-member electoral committee.

Messrs Emmanuel Enebeli, Editor-in-Chief, Ndokwa Reporters was reaffirmed as new chairman of the forum; Shedrack Onitsha, Editor-in-Chief, Advocate Newspapers was returned as secretary; Chukwudi Abiandu, Editor-in-Chief, Banner News emerged as Vice chairman; Joe Ogbodu, Managing Editor of BIGPEN Nigeria emerged as Treasurer.

Other are Chijioke Ugbolue, Editor-in-Chief, Celebrity Showcase (Financial Secretary) Kparobo Ehvwubare, Editor-in-Chief, Sun Reporters (Public Relation Officer) and Miracle Enuji, Editor-in-Chief, Asaba Metro (Assistant Secretary).

In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Enebeli commended the electoral committee for the smooth conduct of the transition process and commended members for their contribution towards the inauguration of the first constitutionally elected Exco of the Forum.

He assured members of a transparent administration and pledged the new leadership’s commitment to the tenets of the Forum’s constitution and strive further to make DOPF more recognized by government and private bodies.

While urging members to be more committed to the interest of the Forum, the Chairman expressed confidence that their welfare will receive the utmost attention.

Delta Online Publishers’ Forum founded in February 2017, is a Delta State based association of professional Journalists who are also Online news media practitioners.

DOPF is fully incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission, (CAC) and currently has a membership of 20 recognized Online News Publishers in the state.