The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the professional capacity, welfare and institutional development of women journalists across the country, as its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting opened in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
The meeting, which brought together the national leadership, state chairpersons and secretaries and NEC members from across Nigeria, is expected to deliberate on issues affecting the association and chart a fresh course for its development.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting on Thursday, the National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Aishatu Ibrahim, said the gathering was more than a routine meeting, describing it as an opportunity for members to reflect, deliberate and make decisions capable of strengthening the association.
According to her, ‘This gathering is therefore not just another meeting. It is an opportunity to reflect, to deliberate, to take decisions and, ultimately, to strengthen the institution we all call NAWOJ’.
Ibrahim commended the Kebbi State Government and people for hosting the NEC meeting, saying the gesture demonstrated recognition of the role women journalists play in promoting development, peace, accountability and good governance.
She also commended Zone A, the North-Western Zone of NAWOJ, for what she described as its exceptional commitment to the association, noting that the zone had hosted two NEC meetings.
The national chairperson said one of the administration’s priorities had been the promotion of peace, stability and harmony within NAWOJ chapters and among its members.
She noted that the leadership has deliberately adopted dialogue, consultation and an open-door approach to address differences and ensure that members are carried along.
‘We may not have solved every problem, but we have continued to demonstrate that dialogue is stronger than division and that unity remains our greatest asset,’ she said.
NAWOJ seeks support for permanent secretariat
A major issue highlighted at the meeting was the association’s plan to establish a permanent National Secretariat.
Ibrahim disclosed that NAWOJ had acquired land for the proposed secretariat and had commenced an appeal for financial support towards its construction.
She described the project as a legacy investment that would provide a permanent centre for training, professional development, advocacy, research, welfare and other programmes designed to strengthen women journalists.
‘This is more than a building,’ Ibrahim said.
‘It is an investment in the future of NAWOJ, a permanent centre that will support training, professional development, advocacy, research, welfare and other activities that will strengthen women journalists across Nigeria.’
She appealed to the Kebbi State Government, other governments, corporate organisations, development partners, members of NAWOJ and well-meaning Nigerians to support the project.
‘The Secretariat will not belong to one administration. It will not belong to one person. It will belong to NAWOJ. It will belong to generations of women journalists who will come after us,’ she stressed.
The NAWOJ national leadership also used the occasion to encourage stronger collaboration between the National Secretariat, zones and state chapters.
Ibrahim said the association’s leadership would recognise chapters and zones that demonstrated commitment to its programmes.
As part of the initiative, the national leadership presented HP laptops to the Kebbi State Chapter and Zone A in recognition of their contributions to the association.
She said the gesture was intended to establish a culture in which commitment, sacrifice and service were recognised. ‘We want our members to know that commitment is seen, sacrifice is appreciated and good work should be recognised’.
WINSEC 2026 described as milestone
The NAWOJ chairperson also highlighted the successful hosting of the Women in Security, Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution Summit and Awards, WINSEC 2026, held in Abuja as one of the major milestones recorded by the current administration.
She said the summit brought together women from the media, security, governance and other critical sectors to examine the role of women in peacebuilding, security and national development.
‘For NAWOJ, WINSEC was more than an event. It was a statement of capacity,’ Ibrahim said.
According to her, the initiative demonstrated the ability of women journalists to build strategic partnerships and create platforms capable of contributing to national conversations.
She, however, said the association should not merely celebrate the success of WINSEC but should build on it to establish more initiatives in the future.
‘The challenge before us is to ensure that the success of WINSEC becomes a foundation for even greater initiatives in the years ahead,’ she said.
Kebbi Government pledges support to hosting
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, who represented Governor Nasir Idris at the meeting, welcomed the NAWOJ leadership and delegates to the state.
He said the gathering provided an important platform for women journalists to deliberate on issues affecting their profession and society.
The deputy governor commended NAWOJ for bringing together women from different professional backgrounds and encouraged them to continue advocating issues affecting women and children.
He said women in education, healthcare, business, civil society, law, agriculture and other sectors had important roles to play in societal development.
Tafida also urged women to remain engaged in professional and political spaces, while presenting their needs and proposing initiatives capable of improving the lives of women, families and communities.
He further encouraged NAWOJ to continue using its platform to promote issues including education, healthcare, economic empowerment and protection from violence.
He assured the association of the state’s commitment to supporting initiatives that would strengthen women and enhance their contribution to society.
Kebbi NAWOJ welcomes delegates
Earlier, the Chairperson of NAWOJ Kebbi State Chapter, Hassana Abubakar Koko, welcomed delegates to Birnin Kebbi and described the meeting as historic for the state.
Koko said it was the first time the NAWOJ National Executive Council meeting was being held in Kebbi State.
‘This is a particularly significant occasion for us in Kebbi State, as this is the first time the NAWOJ National Executive Council Meeting is being held in the state,’ she said.
She expressed appreciation to Governor Nasir Idris for approving funds to facilitate the hosting of the meeting and commended the First Lady of the state and Patron of NAWOJ, Hajiya Zainab Nasir Idris, for her support and commitment to issues affecting women and the girl child.
Koko also thanked the national leadership for entrusting the Kebbi chapter with the responsibility of hosting the NEC meeting.
She said the meeting provided an opportunity for delegates to examine the progress of NAWOJ, address challenges confronting women journalists and develop practical resolutions aimed at strengthening the association.
‘As women journalists, we also have a responsibility to give voice to issues affecting women and children, promote responsible journalism, and contribute meaningfully to the development of our communities and our nation,’ she said.
She expressed optimism that the deliberations would produce outcomes capable of advancing the interests, welfare and professional development of NAWOJ members.
The NEC meeting is expected to focus on institutional development, professional advancement, welfare, stronger collaboration among chapters and zones, and initiatives aimed at increasing the contribution of women journalists to national development.
The gathering also provided an opportunity for NAWOJ members from across the country to strengthen professional relationships and collectively examine the future direction of the association.