….as Contestants Solicit support for Electoral Success
In preparation for the Delegate Conference of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists,NAWOJ coming up on November 25, in Abuja, a presidential hopeful, Mrs Aishat Ibrahim has unveiled a 7-point agenda which she plans to utilize in ‘uplifting’ the association if elected.
Women journalists in the country would at the conference elect new national officers that would pilot the affairs of the association in the next three years.
Following the directive of the Association that campaign begins on 1st November for the contest, ,Mrs Ibrahim commenced her campaign program from the South West on Monday 6th November, meeting Nawojians in the zone at Lagos state.
The contestant at the event which came up , Lagos Airport Hotel , Ikeja, the state capital, regretted the present state of NAWOJ in the past three years with determination to put things aright for the benefit of members and the association if given the opportunity .
She said:
“NAWOJ must move from the present teething stage , and the only way is to elect responsible leaders who are responsive to the needs of the association and the members, we must elect leaders who are selfless, and add value to the association and welfare of the members , NAWOJ needs unified leaders devoid of primordial sentiment.
“ Commendations to all past leaders for their efforts in securing lands for the association at the national secretariat , they all tried their best for making it a reality , specifically, credit should be given to Iffy omowole on her significant efforts for the association before her tenure came to end , the present administration was able to finish this project ,we must applaud them for this, however ,we must know where that land is, the size, whether is something that can be developed for immediate use and whether its situated where NAWOJ is safe and can be functional, the status of NAWOJ office in this regard must be known in terms of accessibility and others . These are decisions which I think should be left for the entire membership to take .
“we have a manifesto with 7-point agenda, what we plan to do is to convene a National Conference where each part of the country would be represented to take stock of where we are coming from, what we are able to achieve in the past three decades and then take tremendous decisions on how to run this association, taking into consideration our financial situation. As an association,Is it okay to channel our dues into payment from the office of National President , when we have retirees, physically challenged journalists and put some parts for victims of non payment of salaries and allowances. These are some of the major plans we have if by the grace of God we are elected into office .”
Earlier, the Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists,NUJ, Lagos council, Comrade Adeleye Ajayi in his goodwill message appreciated nawojians on the essence of the gatherings, while describing journalists in the South west ( B zone) as a united family , he assured the contestant the support of the zone with the task on the contestant to fulfill her agenda.
“We are united family, we are winners, give Aisha and her team the supports, this is a new dawn in NAWOJ, you will not regret “
Present at the event were emeritus presidents of the Association , Mrs Toro Oladapo, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole and the BOT National Trustee NUJ , Mrs Bimbo Oyetunde.
They all described Aishat Ibrahim as a reliable candidate with the urge on Nawojians to give her the opportunity to facelift the association for greater heights, they expressed delight on the rate at which younger people are showing interest in the association, saying its because of the progress being recorded.
‘if NAWOJ is not progressing ,the younger people will not be showing interest. NAWOJ has been able to position accurately, we have set standard, women must come together to identify a good candidate suitable for a position . lets continue to set standard, after all everybody cannot occupy the position. This is not just supporting a woman but a candidate that will not disgrace us “
The NAWOJ leaders who commended Aisha on ‘tenacity of purpose’, told nawojians, “ with your supports, the right candidate will emerge”.
The Director General ,DG , Aisha Campaign Organization (ACO), and former chairperson of NAWOJ in Edo state, Grace Ijeoma Umeh described her principal as a detribalized Nigeria who has been able to give humanity its true face.
“she gives recognition to humanity ,its record breaking for a woman to be able to gather a lot of women years ago and still keep to them”
Contestants into other various positions who graced the event included, Dr. Lilian Okonkwo- Ogabu , vying for Deputy National President , Wasilah Ladan, for National Secretary Aishat Cole for the position of Assistant National Secretary , Adeola Adekunle for Vice President B zone and Adeola from Oyo state as secretary B zone, they all pledged to work in tandem to Aisha’s 7-point agenda to make a formidable team.
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The Chairperson of NAWOJ,in the host state (Lagos) Mrs Adeola Ekinne appreciated all chairpersons and secretaries across the South west , zonal , national officers and members who attended the program with prayers on journey mercies to their destinations and successful NAWOJ delegate conference.