African Media Initiative Announces Election of New Board Chair

The Board of AMI has elected Mr. Wale Aboderin as the new Chair of the organisation.
He will be taking over from the maiden chair, Mr. Trevor Ncube, Executive Vice-Chairman of South Africa’s Mail and Guardian, who has steered the organisation since its inception in 2008.

The organisation thanked Ncube and his early co-Chair, Charlayne Hunter-Gault, for the valuable support and guidance of AMI during its formative years.
Aboderin is a Nigerian businessman is the Chairman of PUNCH Newsapers with headquarters in Lagos.
PUNCH publishes three print and two digital newspapers, and runs four major print presses across Nigeria.

 Aboderin trained as a commercial pilot at the Burnside-Ott Flying School, Florida, United States.
He was appointed chairman of the company’s board of directors in 2012.

His tenure has witnessed groundbreaking changes in the editorial quality, management and fortunes of PUNCH, including a hugely successful redesign, the launch of several digital initiatives and the newspaper’s win of several local and international awards.

A popular sports enthusiast in Nigeria, Aboderin is the founder and owner of Dolphins Basketball Club, a leading African female basketball club, with local and continental honours.
He is a former chairman of the Lagos State Basketball Association and a former member of the Nigerian Handball Federation.

 “I thankfully accept this role and I believe AMI should help African media bridge the communication gap between policymakers and the citizens to allow for a two-way feedback engagement,” Aboderin said.
“During my tenure I will champion the AMI cause everywhere and ensure that Africans stop being suspicious about homegrown initiatives and support this organisation.”

 Mr. Eric Chinje, CEO of the African Media Initiative, stated: “With more than two decades of direct involvement in media, Aboderin brings a wealth of experience to the organization. He will surely help AMI refocus its work around the four major pillars of activity around which a new strategy is being developed: strengthening media capacity (thematic specialisation); content development and promotion; research; and performance incentives for media professionals.”