Ms. Akiyode-Afolabi, who ran unopposed, succeeds Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, Chair since 2012.
Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, a prominent activist and lawyer, has been elected Chair of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of 400 civil society organizations. She was elected during the group's Annual General Meeting, which held at TopRank Galaxy Hotel in Abuja. Her election was announced in a statement signed by Armsfree Ajanaku, Media Manager, to the coalition.
Ms. Akiyode-Afolabi, former Public Relations Officer of the Students Union Government (SUG) of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, is the second woman to lead TMG, after Ayo Obe of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) in the '90s. Ms. Akiyode-Afolabi, who ran unopposed, succeeds Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, Chair since 2012.
The TMG leadership election also produced 10 other Board members to run the affairs of the group over the next four years. The new Board comprises of the Chair, Vice Chair, six representatives of the geo-political zones and one representative each for youth and People Living with Disability (PWDs).
In her acceptance speech, the new TMG leader thanked her predecessor for giving TMG quality leadership. She also commended the coalition's other past leaders, whom she said erected the foundation “upon which the current Board will build on for a greater and better Nigeria."
Other elected TMG Board members include Mr. Okeke Anya of the Civil Society Legislative Action Centre (CISLAC) as Vice Chair, Mr. Abdiel Kude of the Kaduna-based Global Community Prime Initiative as Treasurer, Mr. Mustapha Mohammed of the Kano-based Democratic Action Group (DAG) as Representative for North West, and Mr. Musa Adamu Abubakar of Bauchi Human Rights Network, as Representative for North East.
Others are Dr. Salifu Arome of the Africa Youth Foundation, based in Kogi State, as Representative for North Central; Chief Nengi James of the Niger Delta Development Monitoring Group, based in Bayelsa State, as Representative for South South, Mr. Sulaimon Arigbabu of the Lagos-based HEDA Resource Centre as Representative for South West, Mr. Okey Onyeka, Representative for the South East, Ms. Ekaete Judith Umoh of the Joint National Association of Persons Living with Disabilities (JONAPWD) as Representative of People Living with Disabilities and Mr. Tijani Abdulkereem of the Federal Capital Territory-based Socio Economic Research Centre as Representative for youth.
The new Board will be inaugurated on August Monday at the TMG National Secretariat in Gwarimpa, Abuja.
