Newspaper Proprietors Elect Guardian’s Lady Alex-Ibru President As LEADERSHIP Chairman Joins Executive

The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has elected the Publisher of The Guardian, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, as its new President.

Lady Alex-Ibru takes over from the Chairman of Trust Media Limited, Malam Kabiru Yusuf, who has successfully completed his two terms as president.

Also, the Chairman of LEADERSHIP. Mrs. Zainab Nda-Isaiah, was elected to the executive as an ex officio member, one of two new officers inaugurated at the association’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos on Wednesday.

In a statement jointly signed by Lady Alex-Ibru  and the General Secretary, Mrs Angela Emuwa, on Sunday, NPAN stated that the AGM deliberated extensively on the state of the nation, media responsibility, and the challenges confronting the newspaper industry.

According to the statement, the meeting began with a solemn tribute to the late Dan Agbese, a veteran journalist, co-founder of Newswatch magazine, and a committed member of the association.

While the NPAN commended the government’s ongoing structural reforms, it expressed concern that the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of foreign exchange windows had exposed citizens to severe economic hardship.

The association urged the government to intensify efforts to manage inflation, reduce the high cost of governance, and tackle corruption at all levels.

On tax reforms, NPAN acknowledged the benefits of broadening the tax base through the reforms, but advised on the need for stronger public education. It also insisted that savings must be utilised transparently to improve citizens’ welfare.

Expressing grave concern over rising insecurity, the association condemned the killing of a senior military officer and the rising spate of abductions of schoolgirls and attacks on centres of faith.

NPAN called for a thorough investigation into the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba and urged decisive government action to address economic hardship and stabilise security nationwide.

Reaffirming its commitment to democratic values, NPAN warned of a shrinking democratic space and threats to Nigeria’s multi-party system.

It stressed the importance of a free press, free and fair elections, respect for the rule of law, and an independent judiciary.

Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru leads the new executive council, with the following elected officers: Deputy President, Mr Frank Aigbogun (BusinessDay, formerly vice president); Vice President, Mr. Fidelis Anosike (Daily Times, formerly treasurer); Treasurer, Ahmed I. Shekarau (Group CEO, Trust Media, elected for the first time); General Secretary, Mrs Angela Emuwa, Chairman, PUNCH (who retains her position); Organising Secretary: Azu Ishiekwene (Editor-In-Chief, LEADERSHIP, formerly assistant secretary); Publicity Secretary: Dr. (Mrs.) Nwadiuto Iheakanwa (GMD, Champion Newspapers, who retains her position).

The ex officio members are Mr Ayodele Aminu, Managing Director, (The Telegraph, who retains his position), Prince Dennis Sami (Publisher of The Pilot, who maintains his position), and Mrs Nda-Isaiah (Chairman, LEADERSHIP).

The former president was commended for exemplary leadership and now joins the association’s Board of Trustees.