| President's Message |
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Dear colleagues, On behalf of the board of the National Association of African Journalists (NAAJ), I wish to thank you for your continued support for this organization’s effort to enhance excellence in African journalism and promote objectivity in the coverage of Africa and Africans all over the world.
Despite financial and other challenges, we have continued to make strides in many areas. Please allow me to update you on NAAJ’s progress in 2007. Board Composition As NAAJ approaches its fourth anniversary in August 2008, I am happy to inform you that the organization has grown in membership and stability. We have since overcome the 2005 election crisis, where activities of some members were detrimental to the stability and progress of this organization. From the get-go, I have made clear my vision for NAAJ as an organization that embraces all African journalists and others who share our goals and objectives. I am pleased to report that the composition of the NAAJ Board in 2007, as well as the various committees that help with the smooth running of this organization, reflect my commitment for inclusion. There is fairness in country and gender representation on the governing board and committees. A full list of board and committee members is available on this web site. 2008 NAAJ Convention The NAAJ Board has approved the hosting of the 2008 Convention for June 20 & 21. It will be held at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Details will be unveiled by the Convention Planning Committee, co-chaired by Chika Onyeani, publisher of New York-based African Sun Times and James Butty, host of Day Break Africa at the Voice of America in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, please mark June 20 & 21 on your calendar. Sourcing for grants We have hired a grant writer to source for funding options for NAAJ’s projects. Those projects include: implementing a virtual newsroom on Africa; hosting information forums with visiting African political and business leaders; producing a quarterly newsletter; and covering important events in Africa, as well as other key Africa-related events in the United States and other parts of the world. Examples of such events include the upcoming general election in Zimbabwe, Africa Union and United Nations summits, the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. NAAJ Secretariat I am pleased to announce that the NAAJ Secretariat in Washington, D.C. will begin operation in January, 2008. It is located on the lower level of the John H. Johnson School of Communications at Howard University. This office, which serves as NAAJ’s national headquarters, is a free donation from Howard University, courtesy of the John H. Johnson School of Communications. Please join the NAAJ Board in extending appreciation to Dr. Janette L. Dates, dean of the John H. Johnson School of Communications at Howard University. She can be reached at jdates@Howard.edu. First Anniversary of NAAJ-UK Chapter Time flies. It’s already a year since the inauguration of the United Kingdom Chapter of this organization (NAAJ-UK). I was in London for that inaugural meeting on Dec. 16, 2006, just across from Wembly Stadium. Sandra Nyaira, a Zimbabwean journalist exiled from her country, is the interim president of the chapter. Like Nyaira, many members at the UK Chapter are in exile and struggling to survive on a daily basis. They need our support. You can reach out to the chapter through Nyaira at sandra_ This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Meanwhile, please join the NAAJ Board in wishing our UK colleagues a happy anniversary. New publications on AfricaIn support of our members, I would like to introduce some new or recent publications focusing on Africa and Africans. I hope that these new publications will uphold excellence in African journalism, and offer employment or paid freelance opportunities for some of our members who need journalism jobs. Here are three of such publications: Point Blank News, Kitu Kuziru and African Message. I encourage you to visit their web sites at: pointblanknews.com kitukizuri.com Africamessage.com Your input, please We are constantly seeking your input on how we can serve you better. We welcome your observations and suggestions on our ongoing and proposed projects, as well as others you would like us to pursue. During the holiday period, at least one of our board members will be calling you to seek your opinion on how best we can move this organization forward. If your phone or email address has changed in the last 12 months, please send your new contact information to NAAJ Secretary Marvellous Nyahuye at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thank You. Compliments of the season. And may God bless NAAJ. Your humble servant, Eyobong Ita President National Association of African Journalists (NAAJ) |
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