The Kebbi State Government has pledged financial support for the construction of the National Secretariat of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Abuja.
Governor Nasir Idris made the pledge on Thursday while declaring open the 2026 National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NAWOJ, tagged ‘Kebbi 2026’, at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Birnin Kebbi.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Senator Umar Abubakar-Tafida, said the administration recognised the media as a strategic partner in promoting good governance, accountability and peaceful coexistence.
He commended NAWOJ for its contributions to journalism and national development, stressing the importance of responsible and professional journalism to sustainable development.
Idris specifically pledged financial assistance towards the construction of NAWOJ’s permanent national secretariat and urged the association to sustain advocacy on issues affecting women, children and vulnerable groups, particularly education, healthcare and economic empowerment.
He also said his administration prioritised inclusive governance, pointing to the appointment of women to various administrative and political positions.
The NEC meeting brought together members of the national executive council and delegates from across the 36 states.
Before the opening ceremony, members of the NEC toured major projects executed by the Kebbi State Government as part of activities showcasing the administration’s development projects.
In her remarks, NAWOJ National President, Hajiya A’isha Ibrahim, described unity as the strength of the association and thanked the Kebbi State Government for hosting the meeting.
She said the hosting demonstrated the administration’s commitment to women’s empowerment and commended Zone A for hosting two consecutive NEC meetings.
Ibrahim said the acquisition of land for NAWOJ’s permanent secretariat was a significant milestone and appealed to the Kebbi Government and other stakeholders to support the construction of the facility.
She also pledged to continue advocating greater opportunities for women in leadership and urged members to place the collective interest above personal interests.
The meeting featured two paper presentations. The first, titled ‘From the Margins to the Mainstream: Empowering Women and Youth Development’, was delivered by Dr Zainab Hasan Baba of Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi.
The second paper, ‘From Radicalism to Resilience: Harnessing the Soft Power Approach for Youth Empowerment and Community Transformation’, was presented by Hajiya Rafatu Garba Hammani, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Kebbi State.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Salihu Gunabi, urged NAWOJ members to sustain professionalism.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Halima Hassan-Kamba, described Kebbi as a gender-friendly state, while the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kebbi State Council, Alhaji Bello Abubakar-Sarki, said women remained important partners in the development of journalism.
The Chairperson of NAWOJ, Kebbi State Chapter, Hajiya Hassana Abubakar-Koko, expressed delight that the state was hosting the national NEC meeting for the first time.
She thanked Governor Idris for approving the hosting and appreciated his wife, Hajiya Zainab Nasare Nasir-Idris, for her support.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of Awards of Excellence to Governor Idris, the Commissioner for Information and Culture and other distinguished personalities for their contributions to media development and women’s empowerment.