The state congress of the Lagos Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has unanimously approved the appointment of two members as Ex-officio in the Executive Council. The members are Princess Alaba Igbaroola and Mr. Gboyega Oni.
While administering an oath of office for the new Exco members during the August edition of the council’s monthly congress, the Council chairman Comrade Adeleye Ajayi extol the virtues and the level of professionalism that the two journalists have exhibited over the years. He enjoined them to bring such dedication to bear in the discharge of duties and responsibilities that might occasionally be assigned to them going forward. All members present at the meeting applauded their appointments, describing the new Ex-officio members as worthy of the trusts placed in them.
ALABA IGBAROOLA
Mrs. Igbaroola, a native of Ilesa in Osun State is a highly experience journalist with bias for photojournalism.
Her desire to pursue her passion for photography and journalism led her to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism in Lagos. There, she honed her skills and graduated with a degree in Photography and Photo Journalism on May 29, 1997.
Igbaroola’s career in photojournalism took her to the front lines of political events in Nigeria. She covered various political campaigns and elections, including the historic June 12 presidential election campaign and election in 1993, as well as the 1999 presidential campaigns and elections. Her compelling images captured the essence of these critical moments in Nigerian history.
Having distinguished herself as a staff Photographer for many years with TRIBUNE Newspapers, she was appointed as Acting Head of the Photo Section on November 10, 2003, demonstrating her leadership skills.
In June 1, 2004, she was promoted to the esteemed position of Photo Editor, a testament to her contributions to the field.
She later got a political appointment to work with the Ekiti state Government, as Media Assistant to Governor Ayodele Fayose in 2005.
On June 18, 2007, she received approval for her leave of absence, paving the way for her subsequent appointment as Media Consultant (Photography) to the Oyo State Government on June 11, 2007, under the administration of Governor Alao Akala.
Beyond her work in Nigeria, Mrs. Alaba Igbaroola’s photography and journalism also took her to various countries, including the United Kingdom, Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo, and a significant pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 2010, sponsored by Governor Akala along with three other journalists. These experiences broadened her perspective and enriched her storytelling capabilities.
She is currently a member of the Correspondence Chapel of Lagos NUJ, and also the chairman of Photojournalists Association of Nigeria (PJAN).
GBOYEGA ONI
Mr. Gboyega Oni is a native of Ijare in Ondo State. He attended the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Ogba Ikeja; and began practising journalism in 1998 with PortNews Newspaper and rose to become a Deputy Editor in the organization. PortNews Newspaper publishes maritime and aviation since 1995.
Oni started reporting travel and tourism, and attended many events and also undergone many trainings. In 2003, he switched to maritime reporting. Aviation was later added to his area of coverage about six years ago. As a maritime journalist, Oni have attended both local and international trainings in maritime reporting. Also, as an aviation journalist, he attended several trainings in aviation reporting which are regularly sponsored by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
At the beat level, he is a member of Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) and have served the association in many capacities as an elected executive member and also as a caretaker chairman for over eight months. Currently, Oni is the Vice President of the association. MARAN is a beat association of journalists who report maritime industry.
He has been a registered member of the NUJ for over a decade, and was a member of the Election Accreditation Committee that conducted the 2023 election which produced the current Lagos State Council of the Union. Even at the chapel level, Oni is the current Vice Chairman of Federated Maritime Media Chapel (FMMC).
Speaking after his formal swearing in, Oni said, “I am glad to be appointed as an Ex-officio of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists by our indefatigable Chairman, Mr Adeleye Ajayi. I promise to work with the Chairman and members of his Council for the betterment and development of the profession and journalists in Lagos State.”
Photo Story: The Event in Pictures
