4-member committee to lead African Maritime journalists Association

A four- member executive committee has been elected to pilot the affairs of African Maritime Journalists Association (AMJA).

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Lagos by the Chairman, Organising Committee, Africa Maritime Journalists Conference (AMJOC), Mr Lanre Badmus.

“The four offices considered were President – allotted to Nigeria; Vice President allotted to Southern Africa; General Secretary allotted to Eastern Africa; and Treasurer allotted to the host country Ghana,’’ the statement said..

According to the statement, participants met on the second day of the conference, considered and adopted the four nominees.

The nominees are: President – Mr. Sesan Onileimo (Nigeria); Vice President – Mr. Terry Hutson (South Africa); General Secretary – Mr. George Sunguh (Kenya); and the Treasurer – Grace Boateng (Ghana).

The statement said that all the nominees were unanimously endorsed and duly elected for the offices allotted.

It explained that the constitution of the executive committee was in line with one of the resolutions adopted at the just-concluded inaugural Africa Maritime Journalists Conference (AMJOC).

The statement said the conference was held from Jan. 29 to Jan. 30 in Accra, Ghana.

It added that the conference focused on the need to establish a continent-wide association or forum for maritime journalists in Africa.

“Delegates resolved and elected a four-member executive committee that will promote the objectives and benefits of the conference across the continent at regional and national levels.

“Delegates on the first day of the conference endorsed the recommendation that such an executive team should reflect the Pan-African nature of the conference, pending when other necessary arrangements are put in place,” the statement said.

It said that AMJA would operate as a non-governmental and a non-profit organisation open to all practising maritime media journalists in Africa.

“AMJA will represent members’ interests at the continental level, while the establishment of national bodies will be encouraged in all AU member countries, to advance the goals of the association at that level.

“AMJA will promote the interests and welfare of its members, encourage information and knowledge-sharing as well as foster goodwill between the media and other stakeholders in the maritime sub-sector,’’ the statement said.