The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has appointed Professor Sule Yau Sule and Dr. Ruqayyah Yusuf Aliyu of Bayero University, Kano, into two of its strategic committees as part of efforts to bolster press freedom and professionalism in the media space.
Professor Sule, a renowned communications scholar and academic, will serve on the Advocacy Committee as a member, while Dr. Ruqayyah chairs the Membership Committee, highlighting IPI’s commitment to intellectual depth and diversity in its leadership structure.
The appointments were announced by IPI Nigeria President, Musikilu Mojeed, in a statement issued by the institute’s Secretary, Ahmed Shekarau, on Sunday in Abuja. In total, 30 seasoned media professionals were named to serve across four standing committees – Fundraising, Programming, Advocacy, and Membership.
Mojeed said the reconstitution of the committees would “accelerate efforts to safeguard press freedom and promote ethical journalism practices in Nigeria.”
The Fundraising Committee is led by Ms Funke Egbemode, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), with Alhaji Yusuf Alli as secretary. Members include Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information, Garba Shehu, Juliet Bumah, and Ken Ugbechie, publisher of Political Economist.
Other members are Victoria Ibanga, Olufunke Fadugba, and Gbemiga Ogunleye, a former Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.
Mr Oladotun Oladipo, Managing Editor of Premium Eagle Ltd, chairs the Programming Committee, with Hajia Sani of Voice of Nigeria as secretary. Members include Zainab Okino, Dayo Aiyetan of ICIR, Catherine Agbo of 21st Century Chronicle, Emma Agu, and Ahmed Shekarau of Daily Trust.
Tobi Soniyi, Media Adviser to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, chairs the Advocacy Committee, to be assisted by Ochiaka Ugwu of Peoples Daily. Other members include Danlami Nmodu, Laide Abbas of NTA, David Ajikobi, and Fred Ohwahwa.
On the Membership Committee, Linda Kpum of IPI Nigeria will serve as secretary, with members including IPI Nigeria Deputy President Fidelis Mbah, Naziru Abubakar, and Dr Bolanle Ismail of Crescent University.
