NAWOJ CWC Meeting: Bauchi First lady Pledges Support, Commitment
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ) held its Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Bauchi State. The First Lady and wife of the Bauchi State Governor, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammad who was the Special Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony appreciated NAWOJ for finding Bauchi State worthy to host their meeting.
NAWOJ appreciated Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammad for supporting NAWOJ since she assumed office as the first lady of Bauchi State where she pledged to continue to work closely with the Association so that together they can make the desired impact on the lives of women and children in Nigeria.
She promised to continue supporting NAWOJ activities not only in Bauchi State but at all levels, emphasizing its desire to continue empowering women to be Independent wherever they find themselves while tasking well-meaning individuals and government to support women in all spheres of life.
Earlier in her speech, NAWOJ National chairperson, Aisha Ibrahim appreciated the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, His Excellency, Governor Bala Muhammad for being the first to host NAWOJ’s physical meeting since the inception of the new leadership and especially to Her Excellency Mrs. Aisha Bala Muhammad, the first lady and wife of the Executive Governor for not only finding time to graciously attend the occasion despite her exigencies schedule but for also for adding value to the event.
Comrade Aisha Ibrahim stated that the CWC meeting is preparatory to the National Executive Council meeting and therefore very crucial to the achievements so far recorded by the executives, saying the aim of this, is to bridge the communication gap that often exist between the different organs of the Association and also to provide an insight to our sisters in the leadership of the different chapters to see some of the things we do at the Central Working Committee which also helps in preparing them for higher leadership positions.
The Commissioner of information who was also the chairman of the occasion,Comrade Usman Danturaki recalled that he has been working closely with NAWOJ since the time when Asabe Baba was the National Chairperson of the Association and he is pleased to see that NAWOJ has come of age.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity Alhaji Mukhtar Gidado who was instrumental to hosting the event said he has worked closely with the national chairperson of NAWOJ, Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim when he served as Vice President while she was the secretary, NUJ North-East zone. He described her as a core unionist who has dedicated over two decades to serving the union and her profession and find it necessary to support her to succeed.
The former National Secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Shuaibu Leman who was a resource person at the occasion spoke extensively on what is expected of NAWOJ national officers, their roles and limitations.
Meanwhile in continuation of her activities in Bauchi, NAWOJ national chairperson led a delegation of CWC members to pay a courtesy call on Governor Bala Abdululkadir Muhammad at the government house where the governor charged NAWOJ to prioritize Youths and Women Empowerment as well as development issues in their reportage for sustainable growth and development while encouraging media practitioners to constructively criticize different arms of government.
Senator Bala also decried the poor remuneration of journalists emphasizing that efforts should be made by government and media owners to improve the working conditions of media practitioners for them to discharge their responsibilities diligently.
The CWC approved the appointment of six ex-officios and six trustees representing the six zones and also agreed to present it for NEC approval, while the meeting lifted the suspension on some of its members in order to bring peace and unity in the association.#