The Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ) has elected new executives that will pilot its affairs for the next two years.
The election which took place in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory , saw the emergence of Malam Hassan Zaggi, of the Authority Newspapers as President , Bassey Ita Ikpang of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) as the Vice President of the Association ,and Gloria Essien of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) as the Secretary General.
Among the newly elected is a staff of Independent Newspapers , Mrs. Toyin Adebayo who emerged as the association Treasurer.
Others elected into the executive are Regina Otokpa, of The New Telegraph as the Welfare Director, Emmanuel Kutara of Radio Nigeria (FRCN) as the Provost and Nike Adebowale of Premium Times as the Financial Secretary.
The Board of ANHEJ Chairman, Mr. Godwin Odemijie while swearing-in the new executives, commended the Chairman of the electoral committee Mr. Frank Ajufo and members of the committee for the smooth conduct of elections.
He also appreciated members of the Association for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner before, during and after the election.
He, however, applauded the outgoing executives for the good leadership they provided in the past two years, noting that the peaceful atmosphere that was enjoyed during the election was a testimony that they carried the entire members along.
Odemijie also charged the new executives to work hard, provide the needed leadership and ensure Nigerians get the right health information for them to remain healthy.
He observed that Health journalists have enormous role to play in complementing Government efforts at curtailing the spread of COVID-19 in the country by ensuring Nigerians have informed and accurate information concerning the pandemic especially vaccine roll out .
He regretted that the health sector is bedeviled with a lot of challenges and therefore called on the Executives to work together with the stakeholders, partners and hold the government accountable in order to get the required health information for onward dissemination to Nigerians.
Responding on behalf of the new executives, the President of ANHEJ, Malam Hassan Zaggi, commended the entire members of the Association for conducting themselves in a manner that is exemplary for others to emulate.
He called for support and cooperation from all the members for meaningful progress to be achieved in the next two years.
Zaggi said that the executives is ever ready to listen and receive suggestions and ideas that will lead to the growth of the association, insisting that, “nobody has monopoly of wisdom and knowledge. We all compliment each other.”
