By Olufemi Timothy OGUNYEJO
Thursday, February 20, 2025, marked a significant milestone for the Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) as Alhaji Lukman Dauda was inaugurated as its 25th President. The colourful ceremony, held at the prestigious Temah Hall of the Thames Hotel, Jericho GRA, Ibadan, was chaired by Hon. Sunday Adepoju, Board Member, TETFUND.
Hon. Adepoju, in his opening remarks, described Alhaji Lukman Dauda as a friend of over two decades, praising his forthrightness, dependability, trustworthiness, and reliability. He noted that Alhaji Dauda is a man of uncompromised integrity, whose leadership qualities are unmatched. Hon. Adepoju charged the newly inaugurated President and his Executive Members to make the NPA more accessible and visible to the public and Nigerian society.
Prof. Emmanuel B. Omobowale, Director, Distance Learning, University of Ibadan, delivered the keynote speech, emphasizing the importance of collective knowledge in leadership. He highlighted the benefits of collective knowledge, including unity, strength of shared vision, accountability, mutual trust, celebration of diversity, and mentorship programs for young members.
Chief Uchenna Cyril Anioke, the immediate past President of the NPA, praised Alhaji Lukman Dauda, his former Vice President, as a man of integrity, loyalty, trustworthiness, reliability, and dependability. Dr. Anioke expressed optimism about Alhaji Dauda’s competency, hoping that he would outperform all past Presidents, both living and deceased.
In his inaugural speech, Alhaji Lukman Dauda promised to continue and build on the good legacies and programs of past administrations. He outlined his administration’s agenda, which includes rebranding the Association, improving engagement with government and allied agencies, overhauling the NPA Secretariat, inclusive governance, capacity building workshops, and anti-piracy drives.
Alhaji Dauda called on members to join hands with him and his Executive Members to take the Association to enviable heights, emphasizing that they cannot achieve this alone. The event was attended by eminent personalities, dignitaries, professional bodies, and academia, including Chief N.O Okereke, Mr. Dayo Alabi, and Prof. Olufemi Adegbesan, Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan.
Other Executive Council Members inaugurated alongside Alhaji Lukman Dauda include Mr. Olakunle Sogbein, Deputy President (West), Sir, Jesse Odu (Deputy President, East), Alh.Isiaq Ajibola Deputy President (North), Mr. Lanre Anulopo (Honourary Treasurer), Mr. Babatunde Ogunniyi (Vice President), Chief Uchenna Cyril Anioke (immediate past president), Mr. Gbadega Adedapo (member), Chief Austin Onwubiko, Mr. Henry Idogun, Mrs Folakemi Bademosi, Alh. Hassan Bala, Alh. Tahir Abdulaziz, Mrs. Msurshima C. Chenge, and Mr. Emmanuel A. Abimbola (members).
The event was also attended by professional bodies, colleagues, family members, traditional title holders, friends, and relatives of the new Chairman. Part of the programme highlight was Goodwill Messages from different personalities and Oyo State Government.
For record purposes, the list of the past presidents of the Nigerian Publishers Association are as below:
- Revd. T.T Solaru (University Press Plc) – 1965-1966
- Chief Aigboje Higo (HEBN Plc, Heinemann) – 1966-1967
- Chief F.A Iwerebon (Learn Africa Plc, Longman) – 1968-1969
- Mr. G.O Onibonoje (Onibonoje Pub.Ltd) – 1970-1971
- Chief Aigboje Higo (HEBN, Heinemann) – 1971-1973
- Mr. M. Oduyoye (Serfer Books Ltd) – 1974-1975
- Chief M.O Akinleye (UP Plc) – 1976-1978
- Chief G.A Alawode (Signal Edu. Pub. Ltd) – 1978-1980
- Chief B.A Bolodeoku (Evans Brothers) – 1980-1982
- Mr. Akin Thomas (Heinemann HEBN) – 1982-1984
- Mr. C.O Ojiji (Learn Africa, Longman) – 1984-1986
- Hon. F.S Ogunniyi (Dicto Publishing Services) – 1987-1989
- Engr. Victor Nwankwo (Fourth Dimension) – 1989-1991
- Chief (Mrs) M.A. Adekanye (F& A Pub. Ltd) – 1991-1993
- Mr. A.O Echebiri (Learn Africa, Longman) – 1993-1995
- Otunba Lawal- Solarin (Literamed Pub.Ltd) – 1995-1998
- Chief S.B Bankole (Unilag Press) – 1998-2000
- Mr. Ayo Ojeniyi (HEBN, Heinemann) – 2000-2002
- Igwe N.P Iloeje (Inselberg Nig. Pub.Ltd) – 2002-2004
- Mr. Gbenro Adegbola (Evans Brothers) – 2004-2008
- Mr. Samuel Kolawole (University Press Plc) – 2008-2012
- Chief N.O Okereke (HEBN Plc) – 2012-2016
- Mr. Gbadega Adedapo (Accessible Publishers Ltd, Rasmed Publications Ltd) – 2016-2020
- Chief Uchenna Cyril Anioke (Acena Publishers Ltd) – 2020-2024
- Alh. Lukman Dauda (Evans Publishers Ltd) – 2024 till date
