Chairman Board of Trustees/Editor-in-Chief, CAJ International Magazine
Michael Adeboboye, Chairman Board of Trustees, Congress of African Journalists and Editor in Chief, CAJ International Magazine. Ayodeji Michael Adeboboye is a Nigerian independent and freelance journalist whose works have been published in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, UAE, Asia, and the United States of America. He is a newspaper and magazine editor and publisher, and a citizen of Ondo State, Nigeria. Michael began his media journey in 1995 in the Sales and Marketing Department of The Daily Times of Nigeria PLC, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos — then the largest print newspaper outfit in West Africa. That experience gave him early exposure to media and shaped his decision to pursue journalism. After ventures in private business, electronics engineering, and architecture, his passion for journalism led him to study at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism [NIJ] in 2000. His first professional role was as a freelance reporter with _The Key Newspaper_ in Ondo State. He went on to work with several private newspapers and magazines at local and national levels, and later co-founded National Watch Magazine in Lagos, where he served as Editor-in-Chief. A conceptualist and passionate advocate for the welfare of African journalists and media ethics, Michael founded the Congress of African Journalists [CAJ] in 2020. CAJ is a registered pan-African organization of journalists with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Editor-in-Chief of CAJ’s globally recognized publication. Key Achievements - Founded CAJ in 2020: Built a registered pan-African organization to unite journalists, defend press freedom, and advance journalist welfare across the continent - International Journalism: Published articles and reports in media outlets across Africa, Europe, Middle East, UAE, Asia, and USA - Editorial Leadership: Served as Editor-in-Chief of National Watch Magazine and currently leads CAJ’s global publication as Editor-in-Chief - Institution Building: Established CAJ’s digital platform and advocacy programs to train, connect, and protect journalists across Africa - Media Advocacy: Spearheads campaigns on journalist safety, ethics, and working conditions for African journalists - Career Milestone: Started at The Daily Times of Nigeria in 1995, giving him over 30 years of experience across print, editorial, and media advocacy Michael believes that a free, safe, and ethical press is critical to Africa’s democracy and development. Through CAJ, he continues to work to ensure African journalists have the tools, protection, and voice they deserve.
Member: Board of Trustees/Secretary General
Dr. Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, Secretary General of Congress of African Journalists (CAJ). He is a poet, novelist, translator and journalist from Egypt. Author and translator of 44 books of poetry, novels, biographies, criticism, children’s literature and translations. As a journalist, he worked in Egypt, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Korea.
Member, Board of Trustees
Ajong Mbapndah L is a creative media professional with strong leadership and management skills, knowledge of Sub Sahara Africa, and hands-on experience in media editing, writing, and interviewing high profile personalities from Presidents, Prime Minister, Ambassadors, and numerous diplomatic, political, business personalities, and more. He is Founder and Managing Editor of Pan African Visions, a leading publication on African perspectives with operational base from the Washington, DC metro area and a growing network of over twenty journalists spread across Africa. He over sees the running of the news site www.panafricanvisions.com, and the monthly Pan African Visions magazine. He has been accredited with the Washington Foreign Press Center over the years. Some of the high-profile events he has covered include the USA-African Leaders Summit in 2014, and 2022, the Democratic Party convention of 2016 in Philadelphia, numerous editions of the US-Africa Business Summits and more. Ajong has had stints running a parliamentary office, working with diverse newspapers in Cameroon, and making African themed contributions to a number of international publications. He served as a reviewer of the Africa Integrity Indicators, Global Integrity, for Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Algeria, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Chad, DRC, 2013-2014. Ajong also served as a Mandela Washington Foundation Reader in 2016, 2017, and 2019.Most recently, he was a Judge on the 2021 African Business Heroes Prize Competition, the flagship philanthropic program of the Jack Ma Foundation spotlighting and celebrating Africa’s entrepreneurs. He holds Bachelor’s Degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from Universities in Cameroon, and a Master’s Degree in mass communication from the Virginia Commonwealth University in USA.
Board Member/Treasurer
Olusiji Balogun is a media expert and an experienced human resources manager. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Eminent Leaders magazine and CEO of Promec Innovative Concepts. He holds B.Sc in Public Administration and HND in Business Administration and Management. A trained journalist with Diploma in Journalism and Public Relations. Olusiji is an organisational growth and business development expert with adaptable skills. A community and social worker and excellent communicator at all levels He is an Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management in Nigeria, (CIPM); Full Member, Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators in Nigeria (IPMA) and recipient of many awards and certificates in recognition of his contributions to the uplift of the society. His hobbies apart from writing include travelling, reading, surfing the internet and adventures. He currently has his hands in farming and some self-help community projects. Olusiji Balogun is the founder of Olusiji Balogun Foundation an NGO established to saving lives.
Vice President West Africa/ Bureau Editor, CAJ International Magazine
Dela Ahiawor is a journalist from Ghana and West Africa Vice President of the Congress of African Journalists (CAJ). Drawing on over two decades of experience, he serves as CAJ International Magazine's West Africa Bureau Editor. He has carved a niche as sustainability editor, focusing on sustainability/ climate related journalism. He is renowned for pioneering green sports ( sustainability in sports) in Ghana and Africa since 2011. For his career milestone, he has reached the Olympics, as an accredited journalist- a long-held dream Furthermore, his dedicated journalistic contributions recently earned him an induction into the distinguished and scholarly Global Cultural Network of the Academy of Farsala in Greece.
Vice President, East Africa
Tiblets Tesfaye is an Ethiopian journalist and media freedom advocate. She serves as the Vice President of the Ethiopian Mass Media Professionals Association (EMMPA) and is the Ethiopia Correspondent for BRICS Africa Channel. Tiblet also participates in the IGAD-ICPAC Media Team, contributing to regional reporting on climate change and resilience in the Horn of Africa. Her reporting focuses on climate change, minority rights, gender equality, social justice, and human rights. She is committed to promoting ethical journalism, media freedom, journalist safety, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities across Africa.
Southern Africa Representative/Member CAJ Editorial Team
Donald Tlaka is a South African liberal leader, writer, and broadcaster. He serves on the Center for New Liberalism Steering Committee as Vice Chairperson and leads the Johannesburg New Liberals chapter. A policy commentator and radio host, his work focuses on democratic governance, economic reform, youth empowerment, and advancing liberal ideas across Africa through dialogue, advocacy, and institution-building.
Chairman, CAJ Diaspora
BIOGRAPHY OF DIASPORA CHAIRMAN, CONGRESS OF AFRICAN JOURNALISTS (CAJ): HE'S a multi-award winning investigative journalist, an editor's editor, a renowned media executive with over three decades (35years) in active journalism. Dr. George Elijah OTUMU, a widely travelled press delight who has practiced journalism from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia; Republic of South Africa, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom (UK); Australia, Denmark to the United States of America. He had worked in major newspapers, news journals, and soft-sell magazines in the countries listed above. Until recently when he was promoted to the Executive Editor & Group Managing Director, NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER INC USA, Africa's No 1 Premier Most Read International Online news medium in North America, he was Senior Investigative Editor, American Bureau Chief, NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER INC USA whose media headquarters is in Arlington, Texas. Lists of Media Awards Won: *Nigeria's Best Investigative Journalist of the Year Award NMNA 2009 *Nigeria's Most Outstanding Editor of the Year NMNA 2010 *UNITED NATIONS Media Ambassador of the Year 2009 *Most Resourceful Nigerian Editor in the Diaspora Award 2010 *Africa's Legendary Journalist of the Year in Brussels EANA 2011 *Most Impactful African Editor of the Year in Europe (Austria EMPA 2012) *Best Nigerian Editor in the Diaspora Award 2020 NEA *ICONIC African American Editor of the Year Award 2013 USFMA Washington DC *Global Recognition WORLD CLASS INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM Award 2025 in Maryland, USA (first feat ever won by any African Journalist on American soil till date) ...So far, I have won over 80 media awards across the world. OTUMU is an active member of many media associations in every continent of the world. He is the Chairman, Board Editors of EDWIN INC Journal, largest media publishing firm in India. This DIASPORA CHAIRMAN, CONGRESS OF AFRICAN JOURNALISTS (CAJ), studied Journalism at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, graduated in Public Administration at the then Edo State University (now Ambrose Ali University), studied Creative Writing & News Reporting at the prestigious London School of Journalism and had PhD of Investigative Journalism at America's apex institution, CROWN University, Delaware, USA Born December 16th, 1971
Country Coordinator, Nigeria
Caroline Ameh Caroline Ameh is a Nigerian journalist, editor and social advocate based in Abuja. She is passionate about impactful journalism, public accountability and storytelling that amplifies the voices of underserved communities. She has extensive experience covering politics, governance, business, development and social issues, with her work published across Nigerian and African media platforms, including The Nigerian Observer and Open African Tribune. Caroline is particularly passionate about gender equality, climate change, youth empowerment and community development. She has also participated as a rapporteur and media delegate at national and international forums, contributing to conversations on governance, development and social justice. Through journalism and advocacy, she remains committed to using the media as a tool for informing citizens, promoting accountability and driving positive social change.
