The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT Chapter has elected Comrade Annah Iyana Daniel of the Federal Ministry of Information Chapel as chairperson to pilot its affairs for the next three years.
The election which held at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council, Utako was supervised by the national leadership of NAWOJ and also witnessed the election and inauguration of four other officers of the chapter.
Comrade Annah, an Assistant Chief Information Officer and Resident Information Officer (RIO) at the Federal Ministry of Information returned unopposed following the NAWOJ National Secretariat ratifying the disqualification of the incumbent chairperson, Ms Stella Okoh-Esene by the Josie Mudasiru-led Credentials Committee.
The other elected officers include the incumbent vice-chairperson, Mrs Joyce Remi Babayeju of Day Break Newspapers who polled 68 votes against 58 votes by Hajiya Aisha Ali of the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
Others are the incumbent assistant secretary, Mrs Nkiru Nnoli-Okeke of Federal Radio Cooperation of Nigeria (FRCN), who polled 74 votes against 52 votes by Ekwi Ajide of Anambra Broadcasting Cooperation (ABC), to be elected as secretary.
The incumbent internal auditor, Glory Josiah of HardTalk Magazine returned unopposed as Assistant Assistant Secretary just as Mrs Remi Johnson of FRCN also returned unopposed as Financial Secretary.
Announcing the results at the end of the election which was conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner, the secretary of the committee, Ms Ruth Tene of Thisday Nigeria Newspapers commended members for their orderly conduct and noted that the committee discharged its duties in accordance with the constitution of the NUJ even as all resolutions reached were endorsed by the NAWOJ National Secretariat and duly communicated to the committee.
In inaugurating the new executive, the NAWOJ National Vice President, Zone D, Mrs Jamila Abubakar tasked them to always uphold the constitution of the NUJ and do right by all.
She urged them to carry all members along in the spirit of sisterhood which the association champions, noting that there are no losers in NAWOJ as it is one big family.
In her acceptance speech, the chairperson appreciated the national leadership of NAWOJ, NUJ FCT Council and the leadership of all NUJ chapels in the FCT for their support to the chapter during the processes of the election.
“Most importantly, I wish to appreciate all NAWOJIANS, because this is all about you. NAWOJ is one big family irrespective of our political inclinations. It is time to close our ranks, come together, work as a team, and forge ahead.
“The elections are over and we are all winners. I wish to state emphatically that I do not have enemies or rivals, I am only here to serve my fellow women journalists in every way possible and I need the support of all members of NAWOJ to succeed.”
Speaking further, she commended NAWOJians for coming out en-mass to exercise their franchise especially for identifying with her campaign theme of repositioning the association. Pointing out that with their support the executives can achieve all its campaign promises and much more.
“There is a lot of work to be done and I believe by God’s grace we shall triumph. I count it a privilege to work with you my sisters of vision and mission. Our target for NAWOJ FCT is a quality representation, training, mentorship, advocacy, empowerment and support. Thus we must hit the ground running. We must make NAWOJ FCT great again.
“We count on the support of our national leaders, the leaders of NUJ FCT Council and all chapels. There is no doubt that women journalists face a lot of challenges including harassment, intimidation and victimisation among others in the course of carrying out their duties.
“We promise to ensure that women journalists are equipped to cope effectively and even surmount these challenges. We must confront and address these issues. Nothing is impossible if we put our hearts to it.”
Suzan O
