Deacon Daniel Opara, popularly known as Danjay ThePressman, has been elected chairman of the Association of Imo Based Journalists (AIBJ), promising to provide inclusive and quality leadership for members of the media welfare body.
The new executive emerged at the association’s 2026 Executive Council election held on Saturday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri. The exercise was conducted peacefully, with members participating in what officials described as a transparent and orderly electoral process.
At the end of the election, the Electoral Committee declared Mr Opara winner of the chairmanship contest, alongside other officers elected to pilot the affairs of the association for the new term.
Those elected include Ifeanyi Iheakanwa as Vice Chairman, Ebenezer Ojor as Secretary, Ibe Ifeanyichukwu as Assistant Secretary, Mary Ugorji as Treasurer, Chukwudi Ikpe as Financial Secretary, Hamilton Onuchukwu as Legal Adviser, Anthonia (Tonia) Nwachukwu as Welfare Officer, Iyke Ozurumba as Provost, and Jude Onyenedogha as Auditor.
The Electoral Committee was chaired by Austin Echereozor, with Hamilton Onuchukwu serving as secretary, while Anthonia Nwachukwu was a member of the committee that oversaw the exercise.
Members of the association commended the committee for conducting what they described as a credible, transparent and hitch-free election, saying the process reflected AIBJ’s commitment to democratic values, unity and institutional development.
Speaking after his inauguration, Mr Opara pledged to run an all-inclusive administration anchored on quality leadership, improved welfare for members, professionalism and ethical journalism. He also promised to work with all stakeholders to strengthen the association and advance its objectives.
The new chairman said his administration would focus on promoting unity among members while implementing programmes aimed at repositioning the association for greater relevance and sustainable growth within the journalism profession.
Shortly after the inauguration, the newly elected executive paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council, Comrade Ifeanyi Nwanguma, to seek the council’s support and reaffirm the association’s commitment to the ideals of the profession.
Mr Nwanguma congratulated the new leadership on its election and urged the executives to uphold professionalism, foster unity and work collectively to advance the interests of journalists and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the NUJ in Imo State.
