The Celebrity Journal Publishers Association of Nigeria (CJPAN) has ushered in a new era of leadership following its 2nd Executive Election held on Monday, June 16, 2025, with Mrs. Funmi Olowosegun, Publisher of Buzz News, emerging as the association’s new President.
Mrs. Olowosegun, who previously served as Vice President of the association, secured a decisive victory over Oluwaseun Samson Fabiyi of Bethnews Magazine, winning 11 votes to 5 in an election that combined both physical and virtual participation.
The electoral process, conducted under the supervision of CJPAN Electoral Chairman, Ebenezer Ojo, was closely monitored by an independent observer, Bunmi Obarotimi, who certified the exercise as free, fair, and transparent.
In addition to Olowosegun’s election, other key executive positions were filled unopposed, forming a strong leadership team to steer the association forward:
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Tony Okpe (African Custodian Magazine) – Vice President
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Akin Sokoya (Giraffe Magazine) – Treasurer
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Adaobi Promise (Blissful Affairs Magazine) – Financial Secretary
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Sunday Adeyemi (Society Herald Magazine) – Provost
In her acceptance speech, Mrs. Olowosegun emphasized her commitment to fostering unity among celebrity journalists and elevating professional standards in the industry.
“This victory is not just mine, but a win for all publishers dedicated to ethical and impactful celebrity journalism,” she stated. “Together, we will work to strengthen our association, advocate for press freedom, and ensure that our genre of journalism is respected and recognized.”
Ebenezer Ojo, the Electoral Chairman, praised the smooth conduct of the election, stating:
“In my capacity as Electoral Chairman, I am pleased to declare Mrs. Funmi Olowosegun the winner of this election. The process was transparent, and the outcome reflects the will of the members.”
The newly elected executive team is expected to:
Enhance collaboration among celebrity news publishers
Promote ethical reporting standards in entertainment journalism
Engage regulatory bodies to address industry challenges
Expand training programs for members
Bunmi Obarotimi, the election observer, confirmed that the process adhered strictly to CJPAN’s constitution, setting a benchmark for future internal elections.
Industry Reactions:
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Tunde Kelani (Veteran Filmmaker): “A strong celebrity press association benefits the entire entertainment ecosystem.”
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Linda Ikeji (Media Mogul): “Congratulations to Funmi! Looking forward to more professionalism in our space.”
With a fresh leadership team now in place, CJPAN is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of celebrity journalism in Nigeria.
