FICAN Abuja Elects New Exco To Pilot Its Affairs
BY COBHAM NSA, ABUJA – The Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN), Abuja has elected a new seven member Executive Committee to run its affairs for the next three years.
In a keenly contested elections held on Thursday, September 21, 2017, Nduka Chiejina of the Nation Newspaper polled a total of 16 votes to defeat the incumbent, Simon Ogoegbulem of National Business Extra who had nine votes to his credit
The position of Vice Chairman went to Fred Idehai of Lagos TV with 15 votes as against 10 votes recorded by his opponent, Joseph Inokotong of National Trail Newspaper.
For the post of General Secretary, it was a close contest as David Agba of Blueprint Newspaper narrowly lost to Isa Abdulwahab of New Telegraph by 11 to 13 votes with one invalid vote.
The Association’s new Treasurer is Nse Anthony-Uko of Sundiata Post Online who got 16 votes as against nine votes recorded by Ewache Ajefu of Economic Confidential Magazine. Similarly, the Publicity Secretary portfolio went to Sarah Effin of Channels TV who garnered a total of 16 votes to beat Henry Ibezimako of Aso Radio with nine votes.
The post of Assistant General Secretary went to Benjamin Umuteme of National Accord Newspaper, elected unopposed with 25 Yes votes to one No vote. Completing the seven member team is Ayoade Olatokewa of Vision FM Radio who also emerged unopposed as the Financial Secretary polling 19 Yes to three No and three invalid votes
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman, Mr Nduka Chiejina thanked members for reposing confidence in the new team with a pledge to re-position FICAN for the betterment of all members.
According to him, “Dear colleagues, I thank you all for the confidence reposed in me and other members to steer the affairs of our great Association for the next three years.
“On behalf of every executive member, I pledge that we will be transparent and accountable in the discharge of our duties. More importantly we intend to carry everybody along to the exclusion of none.
Promising to put the elections behind and work to mend fences as one big indivisible family with the ultimate goal of improving the welfare of every member, Mr Chiejina said; “I hope and pray that the tense atmosphere of the last few weeks will give way to friendlier and more accommodating environment so that we all can contribute positively to our ultimate goal.”
He said that the coming days and weeks would have the new Executives unfolding their plan for the Association, even as he solicited for the support of members in the drive to have more stakeholders taking positive interest in the affairs of FICAN going forward
Earlier, the former Chairman, Mr Ogoegbulem had before Congress’ formal dissolution of the house, thanked members for their support in the last three years. He listed Land purchase, FICAN’s official registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and celebrations of the Association’s 20th Anniversary among the modest achievements recorded by his Executives.
