New SJA committee for 2025-26 takes charge

The newly elected executive committee of the Shariatpur Journalists’ Association (SJA), Dhaka, officially took charge for 2025-26 on Tuesday.

The transition ceremony took place at the National Press Club in the capital, where the outgoing committee welcomed the new members and vice versa.

Outgoing President Benzir Ahmed and General Secretary Asaduzzaman Azam formally handed over the duties to the newly elected leadership, led by President Habibur Rahman Polash and General Secretary Obaidullah Mamun.

President of Shariatpur District Unit of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Shafiqur Rahman Kiron, President of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Shahidul Islam, Member of BNP Executive Committee Mohiuddin Ahmed Jhintu, President of Bangladesh Insurance Forum and Managing Director and CEO of Popular Life Insurance Company Ltd BM Yousuf Ali, BNP think-tank Dr Shakhawat Hossain Sayantha, former additional secretary of the government Abdul Awal Howlader, Proprietor of Motex Fashion Mohammad Masud Kabir, founder of the SJA and former president of Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) Rafiqul Islam Azad, former president of the SJA Razu Alim, outgoing President and General Secretary of SJA Benzir Ahmed and Asaduzzaman Azam, among others, spoke on the occasion.

In his speech, Shafiqur Rahman Kiron emphasised the role of journalists in holding political leaders and others accountable by uncovering the truth. He referred to journalists as the "conscience of the nation," underscoring the importance of exposing misconceptions to correct mistakes and improve governance.

“We are all united under the shadow of Shariatpur. The district's development must be proportional to its population, and we must take initiatives for its progress,” he said.

The SJA elections were held on 10 January at the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) office in the capital’s Purana Paltan. Five key positions—President, General Secretary, two Joint General Secretaries, and Organising Secretary—were elected through direct voting, while other positions were elected unopposed.

Kanchan Kumar Dey, Commissioner of the SJA Executive Committee Election, former vice president Rezaul Haque Reza, along with a number of politicians and distinguished individuals from Shariatpur, attended the event alongside the general and executive members of the SJA.