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By Abdullahi Inuwa
The Kebbi State Government has pledged its support to the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in its quest to build a permanent National Secretariat in Abuja, describing the project as important to creating a better working environment for women journalists.
The commitment was made by the Deputy Governor of the state, Senator Abubakar Umar Tafida, while declaring open the 2026 National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NAWOJ at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.
The NEC meeting brought together women journalists from across the country to deliberate on the future of the association, strengthen unity among members and examine issues affecting women journalists and the wider media profession.
Tafida said the Kebbi State Government recognised the important role journalists, particularly women journalists, play in promoting development, accountability, good governance and peaceful coexistence.
He assured NAWOJ of the government’s willingness to continue partnering with the association and supporting initiatives capable of advancing the profession and contributing to national development.
According to him, the NEC meeting provided an important platform for members to assess the activities of the association, identify challenges confronting women journalists and formulate strategies that would strengthen the organisation.
The Deputy Governor said women journalists had continued to make significant contributions to Nigeria’s media industry despite the professional and personal challenges confronting them.
He therefore urged members of NAWOJ to sustain their commitment to responsible journalism, peacebuilding and national development.
A major issue that dominated the gathering was the association’s plan to establish a permanent National Secretariat in Abuja.
National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Aishatu Ibrahim, said the meeting was not merely another routine gathering but an opportunity for members to reflect on the journey of the association, deliberate on critical issues and take decisions that would strengthen its future.
She expressed appreciation to the Kebbi State Government and people for hosting the NEC meeting, saying the gesture demonstrated recognition of the contributions of women journalists to development, peace, accountability and good governance.
Ibrahim disclosed that NAWOJ had already acquired land for the proposed National Secretariat in Abuja and had commenced an appeal for financial assistance towards the construction of the facility.
She called on the Kebbi State Government and other stakeholders to support the project, stressing that a permanent secretariat would provide the association with a stable institutional base and improve its capacity to coordinate its activities nationwide.
The appeal received a positive response from the Kebbi State Government, with the Deputy Governor assuring the association that the administration would consider ways of supporting the project.
Meanwhile, National Secretary of NAWOJ, Wasila Ladan, said promoting peace, stability and harmony within the association remained one of the major priorities of the current leadership.
Ladan said the leadership had adopted dialogue, consultation and an open-door approach in addressing disagreements among members and chapters.
She explained that the approach was aimed at ensuring that members were carried along in decisions affecting the association while strengthening trust and cooperation across its structures.
The national leadership also used the NEC meeting to call for stronger collaboration between the National Secretariat, the various zones and state chapters.
Another key activity at the meeting was the planned inauguration of an electoral committee ahead of the association’s forthcoming general election.
The development is expected to set the machinery in motion for the next phase of leadership within NAWOJ, while members are expected to use the process to further consolidate unity and stability in the association.
As the meeting continued in Birnin Kebbi, the issues on the table went beyond administrative matters, with members examining the future of women journalists, institutional development, professional cooperation and the role of the media in strengthening peace and democratic governance.
For NAWOJ, the Kebbi NEC meeting has therefore emerged as both a platform for organisational review and a fresh push for unity, institutional growth and a permanent home for the association.
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