The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, has commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Mogaji Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the Director-General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership. The union, however, called for increased recognition of Oyo State’s contributions to Tinubu’s 2023 electoral victory, noting that the state deserves more appointments in the current administration.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Oyo NUJ, Chief Ademola Babalola, and Secretary, Comrade Olusola Oladapo, the union hailed Tegbe’s appointment, describing it as well-deserved. The NUJ highlighted Tegbe’s track record of excellence, pointing to his first-class honours degree in civil engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University in 1988, and his status as a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. Tegbe was also a governorship aspirant in Oyo State in 2019 and a senatorial candidate for Oyo South in 2023.
“We commend President Bola Tinubu for appointing Mogaji Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the Director-General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership. His journey has been marked by excellence, and we are confident he will bring his sterling qualities to bear on this important role,” the statement read.
The Oyo NUJ expressed optimism that Tegbe would contribute effectively towards achieving the goals of the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China, particularly in relation to the agreements reached at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing.
Despite the commendation, the NUJ also emphasized that Oyo State deserves more recognition from President Tinubu’s administration, citing the state’s significant role in his electoral success. “Oyo State contributed greatly to the success of Mr. President during the 2023 general elections. We, therefore, appeal to Mr. President to appoint more indigenes of Oyo State into key positions in his administration,” the union stated.
The NUJ further noted that every appointment made from Oyo State has added tremendous value to Tinubu’s government. The union concluded by urging the president to consider more high-achieving individuals from the state to help deliver on his promises of democratic dividends to Nigerians.
The NUJ’s call for more representation underscores a broader demand for equitable distribution of political appointments, especially for regions that played pivotal roles in the electoral process.
