MABEOKUTA – The Ogun State Chapter of the Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (ACHPN) has elected Mr. Emmanuel Adewale Ojo as its new State Chairman, following an election held on Thursday at the association’s secretariat in Magbon, Abeokuta.
Ojo polled 64 votes to secure the chairmanship. Mr. Joseph Babatunde Agegenu emerged as State Trustee with 68 votes, while Mrs Basirat Omotalabi Akerele was elected State Treasurer after polling 76 votes.
Other members of the executive emerged unopposed. They include Mrs Naimot Abeke Kareem, Deputy Chairman; Mr Olusegun Samuel Timothy, State Secretary; Mrs Adeola Julianah Avoseh, Assistant State Secretary; Mrs Risikat Titilayo Ajumobi, State Financial Secretary; Mrs Olorunkemi Omobukunola Ogunbiyi, State Publicity Secretary; and Mrs Aminat Iyabosola Afolabi, State Auditor.
The three Vice-Chairmen, representing the three senatorial districts of Ogun State, were also returned unopposed.
Five delegates from each of the 20 local government areas participated in the exercise, which was supervised by Pastor Comrade Ibitoye Oluwabukola David. He also delivered the presidential address on behalf of the National President, Alhaji Kabir Yahya.
The election followed the cancellation of an earlier exercise and the subsequent constitution of a three-member Caretaker Committee, chaired by Mrs Helen Adebimpe Onifade, to oversee the affairs of the state chapter pending the conduct of a fresh election.
In his address, the National President charged the electoral committee, contestants and delegates to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency and peaceful conduct throughout the exercise.
He stressed that the integrity of the electoral process should take precedence over individual ambitions, declaring that, “The credibility of this election is more important than the ambition of any individual contestant.”
Yahya also urged members to close ranks after the announcement of the results, irrespective of the outcome for individual contestants.
“An election produces winners and those who do not emerge victorious, but it must never produce permanent enemies,” he said.
The electoral officer subsequently invited delegates to cast their ballots without intimidation. Following the announcement of the results, the newly elected executives were inaugurated and administered the association’s oath of office.
In his inaugural address, Ojo pledged to run an inclusive administration anchored on members’ welfare, unity and collective responsibility.
He described every member as a stakeholder in the association’s affairs and called for a shared commitment to addressing the challenges confronting the chapter.
“I see every member of this great association as an important stakeholder. I am committed to the welfare of every member of the association. No chairman can succeed alone. I will serve, I will unite, I will represent. Where there are challenges, we will seek solutions together; we will pursue opportunities together. We will do everything together,” he said.
The General Secretary, Matthew Elembo while delivering the vote of thanks, appreciated members for their participation and the electoral committee for overseeing the exercise. He described the emergence of the new executive as a new chapter in the history of the Ogun State branch of the association.
