A Pan African Journalists Organisation registered in Nigeria (RC:153753), Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) will hold its first annual conference in Nigeria in October this year.
According to the Acting President of CAJ who is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Michael Adeboboye “The three-day conference with the theme – Africa and Security Challenges; The Role of Journalists in Finding Lasting Solutions will serve as an interface between stakeholders in the Africa’s development project, security gurus and information gatekeepers with the aim to map a path of progress for the continent”
The conference will hold in Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, starting from October 6 and ends in October 8.
The conference will feature investiture of patrons, conferment of awards and film shows about CAJ and its objectives. The film shows will project Africa richness and versatility in culture, tourism and languages.
“Considering the various challenges of African countries recently, particularly in the areas of fake news and security with their adverse consequences in the genuine African leadership roadmap to the continent’s growth and development, CAJ believes that telling the true and positive Africa narratives and opportunities abound in the continent. Hence its resolve for the 2021 conference to bridge the gap between the information gateway and leadership in the continent,” said Ashraf Aboul Yazid Dali, President, Asian Journalists Association, AJA and Vice President, CAJ North Africa. Dali an award winning journalist is an Egyptian poet, Editor-in-Chief, The Silk Road Literature Series, Chairman, CAJ Conference 2021 and also a Keynote Speaker at the conference.
Other speakers at the conference include; Retired Brigadier-Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman (MNI), Hon. Gospel Kazako and Mohammed Ibrahim Moalimuu.
Usman is the Consultant Director, Corporate Affairs and Information at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Mahangi Communication Services and Mahangi Farms. He is also a member of the Editorial Board of African Leadership Magazine and member of the Board of Trustees of Security Watch Africa Initiative.
Hon. Gospel Kazako is a foremost journalist and Malawian entrepreneur who founded the Zodiak Broadcasting Station; a national broadcasting station in Malawi. Kazako is also a poet and current serving Minister of Information, Malawi. While Mohammed Ibrahim Moalimuu is a senior Somali international journalist and unionist, formerly with BBC and Reuters. Moalimuu is the current Spokesperson of Federal Government of Somalia and Senior Media Adviser to the Prime Minister.
According to CAJ Acting Vice President, West Africa, Joseph Adika who is the CEO of Jubilee Broadcasting Network, Ghana, CAJ African Leadership Award 2021 will recognise outstanding performance and leadership qualities of the recipients in a bid to encourage dedication to service to humanity and fine governance in Africa.
The African great men nominated for CAJ Leadership Award are; His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria, Hon. Thandi Modise, Speaker, South Africa National Assembly and Chief Justice of Malawi, Hon. Justice Andrew Nyirenda.
According to CAJ Secretary General, Moise Manoel, “Some members of CAJ will also be recognised for their various contributions to the organisation”
The CAJ Conference Planning Committee are; Ashraf Aboul-Yazid Dali (Egypt), Chairman, Moise Manoel (Paris), Secretary – General, Joseph Adika(Ghana), Member, Admire Mackenzie Kudita (Zimbabwe), Member, Ajong M. Laurean (USA), Member, Blessing Kenache (Malawi), Member.