The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is making strategic moves to boost its public engagement, announcing the appointment of veteran journalist Mr. Adedayo Eriye Oketola as the new Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.
Oketola, who recently stepped down as the Editor of Punch Newspapers, officially assumes the critical role on Friday, October 24. The appointment, formalized in a letter by the Commission’s Secretary, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, signals INEC’s commitment to robust and transparent communication.
With over two decades of experience marked by incisive reporting and journalistic excellence, Oketola brings a wealth of media knowledge to the electoral body. His selection is timely, arriving as INEC prepares for a period where effective communication is paramount to fulfilling its mandate of ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.
In her congratulatory message, Oriaran-Anthony emphasized the need for Oketola to execute his duties with the highest standards of professionalism, further upholding the transparency and integrity that define the Commission’s work.
Thank you for providing the detailed background information on Mr. Adedayo Eriye Oketola.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to benefit from a wealth of diverse professional experience with the appointment of Mr. Adedayo Eriye Oketola as the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.
Oketola’s impressive career is defined by outstanding journalism across crucial sectors, including ICT, Energy, Labour, Business, Economy, News, and Politics. This wide-ranging expertise earned him more than 15 prestigious local and international awards, fellowships, and recognitions, firmly establishing him as a leader in the field.
His professional depth is matched by a robust academic background:
- B.A. and M.A. in English (Literature) from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (2004) and the University of Ibadan (2007), respectively.
- LL.B from the National Open University of Nigeria (2017).
- Specialized training includes a Certificate in Investigative Reporting from the New England Centre for Investigative Reporting at Boston University, USA (2012), and a Diploma in Public Relations.
Oketola is also actively involved in top professional bodies. He is an Associate of both the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
Globally recognized, he is an Edward R. Murrow Fellow under the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) and currently leads the IVLP Alumni Association in Nigeria as President. Additionally, he shared his vast knowledge in his debut book, “The Catalyst: Nigerian Tech Evolution Through A Journalist’s Lens,” presented to the public in 2024.
