The Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) has elected Fred Idehai and five others to steer the affairs of the Association for the next three years.
Other elected officials at the Friday, February 23, 2024 election include: Emeka Amakor of TV360 (Secretary General); Fehintola Punarimam of Arise TV (Assistant Secretary General); Vincess Okushi of Quality Television (Treasurer); Joy Odor (Welfare Officer) and Princess Ekwi-Ajide (Financial Secretary).
At the Inauguration ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, the Special Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Media and Communication Strategy, Al Kassim Abdulkadir, charged the new exco of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) to embrace proactive leadership in order to reposition the group for a maximum impact.
“Under the new exco, I expect the leadership to hit the ground running by fastracking the necessary steps needed for the Association to be duly registered with relevant institutions.”
He also pledged the full cooperation of the Ministry to ensure the success of their tenure.
“In my capacity as the SA to the Minister, I will do everything possible within the powers of my office to ensure a seamless relationship between DICAN and the Minister.”
He also promised to within the shortest possible time, arrange a familiarisation meeting between DICAN and the Minister.
Also on hand to lend a voice was the Secretary General, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Ochiaka Ugwu, who spoke glowingly about the SA Media, Abdukadir, whom he described as an individual with a remarkable blend of strategic insight, dedication to ethical values, growth-focused mindset, and unwavering commitment to any focal responsibility.
He urged the new leadership of DICAN to bring its wealth of expertise and a proven track record of excellence to bear in a bid to accord the Association its pride of place.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman, Fred Idehai, a Senior Editor with Channel Network Afrique (CNA), expressed his commitment towards bringing enduring innovation to the Diplomatic body.
He further requested that members should not hesitate to correct them “whenever we are not doing the needful, because we are humans and we are not perfect, nor the best amongst the members.”
He also encouraged his professional colleagues to work diligently and join hands to “make our Association a pace setter among its contemporaries.”
“As a man of my words, I will not renege on my campaign promises. My campaign philosophy is “winning together”.
“My assurance to our members is that everybody will be carried along. This is a new era of DICAN,” the chairman enthused.
The electoral process was supervised by Idara Ukpanyang, Joel Oladele and Johnpeter Odimmegwa – members of the electoral committee.
The election was conducted in a free and fair democratic manner, and the winners were declared by the electoral committee chairperson, Idara Ukpanyang.
Following this, the newly elected officers took oaths of allegiance in accordance with international best practices and were inaugurated.
