By Justina Okpanku
The Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) has elected Theodore Opara, Motoring Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, as its new chairman, following a keenly contested election in Lagos, recently.
Opara who emerged victorious with 62 per cent of the votes slugged it with Olusegun Koiki of Independent Newspaper in the election.
Other elected executives include Segun Odunewu as Vice Chairman; Adrian Egonu as General Secretary; Cees Harmon as Assistant Secretary; Daphne Uduneje as Financial Secretary/Treasurer, and Benjamin Alade as Auditor.
In his acceptance speech, Opara expressed gratitude to NAJA members for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the association. He pledged to advance the status of auto journalism in Nigeria by promoting professionalism, ethical reporting and industry innovation.
“I am deeply honoured by the trust my colleagues have placed in me. I assure you of my commitment to advancing the interests of auto journalism in Nigeria.
“The automotive industry is evolving rapidly, and we must ensure that Nigerian auto journalists remain at the forefront of innovation, professionalism, and ethical reporting,” Opara also said in the statement.
He outlined his vision for NAJA which includes strengthening partnerships between journalists and key industry stakeholders as well as introducing capacity-building initiatives such as training workshops, mentorship programmes and advocacy for improved welfare for members.
With decades of experience in automotive journalism, Opara is expected to bring a wealth of expertise to his new role. Industry analysts predict his leadership will drive significant growth and further cement NAJA’s relevance in Nigeria’s automotive sector.
Chairman of the Election Committee, Ben Oghifo, lauded the electoral process and commended members for conducting themselves in a manner that upheld the democratic values of the association.
“The members of NAJA have spoken, and we have successfully delivered a transparent electoral process. Theodore Opara is now set to lead the association into its next chapter,” Oghifo stated.
In his farewell address, outgoing Chairman, Mike Ochonma, expressed appreciation to NAJA members for their unwavering support during his tenure.
Ochonma urged them to extend the same level of cooperation to the new leadership to ensure continued progress.
NAJA is Nigeria’s foremost association for journalists covering the automotive industry, playing a crucial role in shaping public discourse on industry trends, policies and technological advancements.
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