Arise Cable Television owner and Publisher of ThisDay newspapers, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, was Thursday returned to office as the President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), for another tenure.

His election which represented a major shift in the political structure of the Association, also returned other officials of the Association for another term.

The election which was unanimously supported, climaxed activities marking the 2014 Annual General Meeting of the Association, the opening formalities of which drew strategic players in the nation’s industries, banking , marketing communications, among others.

Obaigbena

Others returned were the Deputy President and the Chairman of Media Trust, Mal. Kabir Yusuf, the General Secretary and Publisher of the Source magazine, Dame Comfort Obi, the Treasurer and Publisher of the Guardian Newspapers, Lady Maiden Ibru, the Publicity Secretary and Publisher of Business Day Newspapers, Mr Frank Aigbogun, Past President and Ex-Officio, Mr Ray Ekpu, Mrs Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, Group Managing Director of Champion Newspapers( Ex-Officio) , Mr. Wale Aboderin ,the Chairman of Punch newspapers (ex-officio) and the two Life Patrons of the Association, who also serve as Ex- officio members- Mr. Sam Amuka, OFR, Publisher of Vanguard newspapers and Malam Ismaila Isa, OFR, mni.

Mr. Mohammed Idris, Publisher of Blue Print newspapers, will step into the shoes of Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, Chairman of Leadership Group, as Assistant Secretary , as soon as the latter completed his disengagement formalities from the Executive Council as a result of his desire to run for the presidency of the country.

Publisher of The Sun and New Telegraph newspapers, Chief Orji Kalu, who is also former governor of Abia state, had moved the motion and he was seconded by Mr. Sam Amuka.

Malam Isa was later to explain that the Executive was begged to continue in office as a result of its progressive achievements and vision for the industry.

Prior to the election, Prof. Attahiru Jega, the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, in his keynote, extol the media for being forthright in its informative and agenda setting roles and for also being the defender of the underdogs.

He however noted that while the press is a private interest, there was a need to balance same with the enlightened public interest at all times. He insisted that it behoves on the press to not only maintain but also sustain this social responsibility.

Mr. Obaigbena reiterated his earlier resolve to step aside adding that given the current development and the confidence reposed in his team, he would accept the new challenge.

Earlier, the managing Director of Access Bank Plc , Mr. Herbert Wigwe, had commended the press for the confidence and support it has in the Nigerian Business sector and most especially in his bank.

He said while only few believed in the vision of the bank when it reenginered in 2002, the press showed so much confidence in the organisation.

He said by 2017, the bank would be a key global player and urged the press to continue to support their enterprise.