The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, has elected new executives to manage its affairs at the national level for the next three years.
The 3-day elections took place during the 11th Triennial Delegates Conference of NAWOJ tagged “Abuja 2023″, at the Maryam Babangida National Center for Women Development, Central Business District, Abuja from 22-26 November.
Aisha Ibrahim Bura, from Borno State won the position of the National President to defeat the incumbent, Ladi Bala while Adeola Adekunle from Adaba FM in Ondo State clinched the Vice Chairperson position.
The election process which took place at Mariam Babangida Women Development Center, Central Area Abuja, was monitored by some members of the National Executive of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), including the National President, Chief Chris Isiguzo.
The forum attracted NAWOJ delegates from the 36 states in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory. Plateau State delegates were led to the conference by the state Chairperson, Nene Dung and her executive members to participate fully in the epoch-making event.
The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, in his remarks at the opening ceremony, commended the outgoing NAWOJ executives for performing well and called on the new leadership that emerges to embrace peace and cause development of the association in line with the mandate of the establishment of the body.
He noted that the theme for the celebration, “Activism to end violence against women and girls: The role of the media” is timely, of global significance, and coincides with the International Day of 16 days activism of Violence Against Women.
While saying that NAWOJ occupies a unique position at the NUJ, Isiguzo urged the new leadership to be committed to unity, progress and advancement of women’s rights.
He appreciated former Presidents like Moji Makanjuola, Evelyn Onyilo, Ifeyinwa Omowole who are still giving the necessary support so that the association will not die.
Chairperson of the conference, Mrs. Moji Makanjuola, urged the leadership to remember the foundation on which the association was formed, which is promoting women rights so that they could be counted as an integral part of the country.
Makanjuola, who is also the Chairperson, Board of Trustees of NAWOJ, noted that although the formation of the association was with challenges, she tasked the leadership of the association to strive more to meet its expectations which deals with impacting on the social life of women, girls and vulnerable groups in the society.
”NAWOJ is a congregation of women with same purpose to show that women can deliver,” she stated.
Guest speaker, Mrs Ene Ohi, who spoke on the theme ‘Unite, invest to prevent violence against women and girls: The role of the media”, commended the media for the role it plays in promoting gender issues and exposing gender based violence.
She said during her work as head of Action Aid, a component and programme was designed for women organisations and after a partnership assessment of its records, NAWOJ was enrolled as one of its partners.
Ehi said she was glad that with what Action Aid did with NAWOJ, FIDA, and other women groups like setting up an office, they have been able to secure multi- million Naira development projects.
Representative of the Country Director of ActionAid, Nigeria, Prince Egba, applauded NAWOJ for its commitment to deliver and the partnership it shares with his organisation.
While calling on NAWOJ to engage in more partnerships with his organisation, Egba said that his organisation is known for transparency. He noted that its target is to ensure that women and children in Nigeria are respected even as he stressed that the past NAWOJ leadership had exhibited passion and commitment to changing the lives of members.
He pointed out that ActionAid has worked with over 150 women groups in which NAWOJ is a beneficiary.
The Chairman, NAWOJ 2023 Electoral Committee, Mr. Mike Ikeogwu who declared the New President Aisha Bura winner on Sunday, November 26, 2023, said NAWOJ had spoken through the ballot. Ikeogwu stated that the margin was a clear picture that NAWOJians desired a change of administration at the national level.
Other candidates elected were Lilian Ogabu Okonkwo, who won Deputy National President, Waslia Ladan got National Secretary and the Assistant Secretary office was won by Aisha Cole. Others are Fatima Rasheed, National Treasurer and Jemila Chinwe Abubakar, National Auditor. Ifeoma Aka emerged unopposed as the Financial Secretary, Amaka Agbo, Vice President Zone C, Cizoba Ogbeche Vice President Zone D and Stella Macauley Vice President Zone F.
In her acceptance speech, Aisha Bura who henceforth asked to be addressed as National Chairperson pledged to protect the interest of the women journalists while carrying out reforms that will take NAWOJ to the next level.
However, speaking earlier at the opening ceremony, NAWOJ outgoing 10th President, Ladi Musa said “Today I feel happy with my team to mark an end to our 3 year tenure”.
She said she is so happy with the achievements her leadership has recorded especially securing an office for the body through partners like Action Aid, Ministry of women Affairs, and other partners.
She encouraged state chapters of NAWOJ to put their records and activities straight to show transparency and work hard to attract the support of donor agencies.
NAWOJ, the umbrella body of women journalists in Nigeria was formed in 1989 to address gender and social rights and promote the professional development of women journalists in Nigeria.
