Congress of African Journalists Debuts.

Raises Hope of Uniting and Empowering Journalists of African Descents Worldwide, Promotes Black Excellence.

By : Mike Odeh James

•Desert Herald Bureau Chief, NAWOJ Scribe make list of Excos

A pan African media organisation; Congress of African Journalists, CAJ which is a vanguard organisation uniting the voices of professionals of African origin across the globe has been registered in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission in accordance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

CAJ, registered as Incorporated Trustees of Congress of African Journalists has been embraced in over 25 different African countries including the diaspora chapter (USA, Germany, UK and South America as a unique platform for improving the journalism practice, protecting it’s practitioners, and importantly, a pedestal for empowerment for it’s members.

Membership of the organisation is open to the African Diaspora (those that trace their roots in Africa). It was formed as an umbrella for journalists practising journalism in all its forms. 

CAJ is guided by understanding of the critical role information plays in Africa’s development trajectory and will encourage and facilitate the sharing of factual information. 

While answering questions relating to CAJ and its relationship with other associations and media organisations across the globe, Adeboboye explained that CAJ was out not as a competing or rival organisation but emerging force always available for synergy, cooperation and collaboration with bodies championing relevant, same and similar objectives. 

“CAJ is not having any issue to contend with existing or any media or professional organisation yet to come on board. Rather, we expect to engage, synergize, collaborate and in a nutshell work with them on matters that have positive impacts in respect to our objectives. 

“As a matter of fact, all of us must be partners in progress. Every journalism organisation wants improvement in the 

practice of the profession. They want save environment for the practitioners. They want better living condition for their members. Apparently, CAJ incorporate the aforementioned in it’s vision. And being a pan African organisation with global network, we are a heavier force with unimaginable strength to demolish abnormalities that have arrested journalism and it’s practitioners of African origin across the globe into typhoon of oppression for too long a time. So when our sisters organisations cry and it seems the voices are faintly heard or not hard at all, we are on board to add our own and of course will permeate the globe efficaciously. 

“CAJ believes strongly that to have different results, new strategies and approaches must evolved. We are banking on new ideas and strategies in order to achieve our objectives”

According to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CAJ, Prince Michael Adeboboye who is also the Acting President of the organisation ” CAJ is guided by the principle of promoting high ethical standards in the profession, training, retraining and further education and up skilling of its members and general public with interest in journalism”

“CAJ will be a prominent voice in advocacy for a safer working environment for journalists and a watchdog against the persecution of journalists discharging their duty lawfully”

“CAJ shall promote excellence, community and innovation through publications, awards, recognitions and conferences.

According to Adeboboye, CAJ has it’s network across the globe and it’s all out ready for synergy in it’s operations.

While answering questions relating to CAJ and its relationship with other associations and media organisations across the globe,

 Adeboboye explained that CAJ was out not as a competing or rival organisation but emerging force always available for synergy, cooperation and collaboration with bodies championing relevant, same and similar objectives. 

“CAJ is not having any issue to contend with existing or any media or professional organisation yet to come on board. Rather, we expect to engage, synergize, collaborate and in a nutshell work with them on matters that have positive impacts in respect to our objectives. 

“As a matter of fact, all of us must be partners in progress. Every journalism organisation wants improvement in the practice of the profession. They want save environment for the practitioners. They want better living condition for their members. Apparently, CAJ incorporate the aforementioned in it’s vision. And being a pan African organisation with global network, we are a heavier force with unimaginable strength to demolish abnormalities that have arrested journalism and it’s practitioners of African origin across the globe into typhoon of oppression for too long a time. So when our sisters organisations cry and it seems the voices are faintly heard or not hard at all, we are on board to add our own and of course will permeate the globe efficaciously. 

“CAJ believes strongly that to have different results, new strategies and approaches must evolved. We are banking on new ideas and strategies in order to achieve our objectives”

While speaking on members who are qualified for the membership of CAJ, Adeboboye said “CAJ has categories of membership from professional, to Affiliate, Associate, Veteran etc. Bloggers are also qualified. Although it is known that numerous bloggers are not professionally trained as journalists, but since there operations are legal and deals with information dissemination, they are privilege to register as member of CAJ.

” What CAJ will do is to upgrade them in the rudiment of the practice of journalism and adorn them with the ethical standards. CAJ will open avenue for training and retraining this category of membership and certify them”

The CAJ Executive Committee is as follows ,

Michael A Adeboboye,

Chairman, Board of Trustees/President (International)

 Emmanuella Maikem Manzie : Secretary Board of Trustees/Vice President CAJ Central Africa

Ashraf Aboul Yazid Dali: Member, Board of Trustees/Vice President, CAJ, North Africa.

Joseph Adika: Member, Board of Trustees/Vice President, CAJ West Africa

Emmanuel N. Ketaman: Member, Board of Trustees/CAJ Director of Fund Raising

 Ambe MacMillan Awa: Member, Board of Trustees

Olusiji Balogun: Member Board of Trustees

Mohammed Ibrahim Nur Moalimuu: Vice President, CAJ, East Africa.

 Ajong Mbapndah Laurean: Member, Board of Trustees/International Liaison (USA)

 Edache Qlaypole Ochola: Member, Board of Trustees

 Kudita Makwenzi Admire: Member, Board of Trustees/Vice President, Southern Africa

 Mike James Odeh; Director of Media and Publicity, CAJ

In the meantime, CAJ has constituted an interim committee for Nigerian Chapter, with Edache Qlaypole Ochola as the Chairman, while former NAWOJ Chairman, Ondo State Chapter is the Secretary. 

Other members of the committee are: Niyi Oyedeji, Ngozi Amadi, Mike Augustine, Amina Anebi, Adedayo Osho and Solomon Gopkop.

The members of the committee are to run the affairs of the Nigeria’s chapter pending the general assembly of the organisation where proper election shall be conducted into offices of CAJ at all levels.

“Leaders of CAJ across the globe shall be announced before the first quarter of 2021” said Adeboboye.