NUJ CHAIRMAN
NAWOJ NATIONAL PRESIDENT
VP ZONE B
LEADERS
MEMBERS NIGERIA ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN JOURNALISTS, LAGOS STATE CHAPTER
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
My heart is filled with gratitude, mixed emotions, and deep reflection as I officially bow out as the Chairperson of our great association after six years of dedicated service and two successful terms.
It has been an incredible journey, one that has tested my strength, sharpened my leadership, and strengthened my resolve to serve selflessly. It has also been a journey of love, commitment, sacrifice, and teamwork. The growth and transformation we have experienced together will remain a beacon of what is possible when women unite with purpose.
I recall vividly the day I assumed office as the Chairperson through a very turbulent election process we all remember in 2019. I came in with a vision to reposition NAWOJ Lagos as a model for others across the country. To build an association that is functional, impactful, and proud to be associated with. I am proud to say today, with all humility, that we achieved far more than we imagined.
Under my leadership, we recorded unmatched achievements that speak for themselves across every sphere of our mandate, capacity development, empowerment, media visibility, local & international collaborations and innovation. NAWOJ Lagos has become a household name not only in Nigeria but also internationally.
One of my proudest achievements is the establishment of the first-ever NAWOJ Lagos Daycare Centre. It was not just a vision, it was a response to the real needs of breastfeeding working mothers. Today, this Daycare stands as a legacy project that promotes work-life balance for women.
We did some empowerment and skill acquisition programs that helped members with tools to grow financially.
We provided local and international training opportunities, ensuring continuous professional development from capacity-building workshops in Lagos to representation at conferences abroad, our members got the platform to learn, network, and shine globally.
We built strategic collaborations and partnerships, both within and outside the country. NAWOJ, Lagos State Chapter has benefited from both local and international trainings and empowerment. We collaborated with local and international organizations such as Code for Africa, Alive and Thrive/NECA NNEW, Wikimedia Nigeria, Institute of Private & Public Sector Professional UK (ICPSP), Nigeria Girl Guides Association and Federal Road Safety Corp among others.
NAWOJ Lagos gained 100 percent media visibility. We became the reference point in advocacy for women and children, gender parity, advocating for gender equality and professional development opportunities for women journalists.
We also led many advocacy campaigns from maternal health to girls’ education, gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, girl child menstrual hygiene etc. We became the voice for the voiceless and the shield for the oppressed. I am proud of how much impact our voice has made.
We have hosted and set the pace with high-impact events and innovative programs, and won awards and trophies that confirmed our excellence. NAWOJ Lagos Chapter has become the pride of NAWOJ nationally.
Through it all, I must recognize the support of the outgoing executive members, to all NAWOJ, Lagos member’s thanks for your encouragement, criticisms and love. Thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to serve. I am deeply honored.
To our partners and collaborators, thank you for trusting NAWOJ Lagos. Your contributions have been instrumental in all we achieved.
I also want to thank my home base (Lagos Information Chapel) the biggest chapel in Lagos State and Nigeria, from the Honorable Commissioner, Permanent Secretary, my directors and colleagues for their support, without my home base I will not event have the opportunity to serve.
I also appreciate the elders and founding mothers of NAWOJ Lagos who mentored, corrected, and guided us. Your wisdom and prayers sustained me throughout my tenure.
Most Importantly from the bottom of my heart I want to thank my husband and my beautiful children for their understanding, patience and support throughout these six intense years. You stood by me and encouraged me to give my best to this noble service.
Indeed, the journey was not without challenges. There were moments of resistance, misunderstanding, and fatigue. But with perseverance, sincerity of purpose, and prayer, we overcame every hurdle.
Today, I hand over an association healthier, structurally stronger, and globally recognized, as I step aside, I am confident that the new leadership will carry on this legacy of excellence. To the incoming Executives, I say: you are inheriting a golden opportunity. Protect it. Nurture it. Grow it.
Leadership is not a title. It is service. It is sacrifice. It is empathy. It is vision. It is consistency. And it is love. You must lead with integrity and with the interest of every member at heart.
Remember, the true strength of NAWOJ lies in unity. Let no division weaken the house we have built. Disagreements will come, but resolve them with maturity and always focus on the bigger picture.
Engage with young journalists, empower the voiceless, and ensure that every NAWOJIAN finds purpose in this association.
I also advise you to build on existing partnerships and form new ones. Explore fresh ideas. Embrace technology. Invest in continuous training. And always be open to feedback.
I may be stepping down as Chairperson, but I am not stepping away from NAWOJ. I will always be available to support, advice, and contribute in any way I can.
Let us support the new executives, give them the same love, patience, and encouragement you gave me, criticize constructively and contribute positively.
As I close this chapter, I look back with pride and forward with hope. NAWOJ Lagos is in safe hands. The future is bright, and our journey continues.
Thank you all for the honor to serve. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for walking this path with me.
I remain Dr. Mrs. Adeola Akinwunmi Ekine, and I will forever be proud to be a NAWOJIAN.
THANK YOU ALL
NIGERIA ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN JOURNALISTS (NAWOJ) LAGOS STATE CHAPTER SECRETARIAT REPORT OF ACTIVITIES FROM JUNE 2022 TILL DATE.
1. 12th June, 2022
Second tenure swearing in ceremony of NAWOJ, Lagos executives.
2. 27th August, 2022
NAWOJ Breastfeeding week program in honor of Late Raheemat Momodu (former chairperson NAWOJ, Lagos)
3. 14th September, 2022
NAWOJ, Lagos went on a courtesy visit to Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence (DSVA) to chat areas of collaboration
4. 20th October, 2022
The NAWOJ National Executive Council meeting was held in Ilorin, Kwara State and Chairperson was in attendance
5. 24th November 2022.
The Association held her November Congress at MOD College, Ogudu, GRA, where the Assistant Secretary was elected/ inaugurated through bye election.
6. 15th December.
On Thursday 15th December 2022, the Association had her year end fun fair,
7. 20th December, 2022.
The New HIV Vaccine and Microbicides Advocacy Society, NHVMAS, Nigeria with support from AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition, AVAC, (Global Vaccine for HIV Prevention) collaborated with the Association by organizing a webinar for female health reporters, which lasted 4 weeks @one session per week.
8. 31st January, 2023
Commissioning of the renovated NUJ Lagos council secretariat (Ladi Lawal Press Center ) Iyalla, NAWOJ Lagos State Chapter members were well represented at the landmark event.
9. 6th February, 2023
NAWOJ Lagos Chapter joined the rest of the world to commemorate the international day of zero tolerance for female genital immunization (FGM) by releasing a statement with the headline “NAWOJ Lagos advocates for total eradication of FGM in Nigeria.
10. 11th February, 2023
NAWOJ Lagos State Chapter published a press release on “World Radio Day” which was used in major media platforms in Lagos State.
11. 8th March, 2023
NAWOJ Lagos released a statement to celebrate International Women’s Day urging women to take the rightful place in leadership.
12. 6th May, 2023
NAWOJ held its monthly congress.
13. 4th August, 2023.
FHI 360 Alive & Thrive project coordinators visited Lagos NAWOJ daycare in commemoration of world breastfeeding week, NAWOJ Lagos State Chapter was commended for being the first to open a daycare center to encourage exclusive breastfeeding.
14. 12th September, 2023
NAWOJ Lagos signed an MOU with NNEW & Alive & Thrive on the renovation of NAWOJ Lagos State Chapter Daycare.
15. 19th – 20th September, 2023
National NAWOJ in collaboration with Norwegian Union of Journalists held a 2 day training for NAWOJ Lagos members on “Gender equity and safety/gender sensitive reporting for women journalists”
16. 19th September, 2023
NAWOJ Lagos executive members with the President of NAWOJ, Comrade Ladi Bala went on a courtesy visit to the newly appointed General Manager of Lagos Television, Mrs. Adesola Kosoko
17. 28th & 29th September, 2023
NNEW in collaboration with Alive & Thrive organized training for NAWOJ Executive, NAWOJ daycare committee and NAWOJ daycare staffs on crèche management, organization and baby care.
18. 6th October, 2023
Handing over of the rehabilitated/facelift NAWOJ Lagos Daycare to NAWOJ Lagos officially by NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) and Alive & Thrive.
19. November. 2023
NAWOJ Lagos state chapter was in Abuja for the NAWOJ Triennial delegate Congress that brought in the current National Exco
20. 22nd February, 2024
NAWOJ Lagos state, had a one day training for media practitioners on investigating and reporting sexual and gender based violence
21. March 8:2024
NAWOJ, in collaboration with wikimedia, held a symposium in commemoration. Of International women’s day.
22. 30th March 2024
NAWOJ Lagos joined NAWE (Nigeria Association of Women Entrepreneur) on a walk marking international women’s day.
23. 15th May 2024
NAWOJ Lagos state chapter paid a courtesy visit to the Oba Elegushi, to strengthen the relationship between NAWOJ and the people of the land.
24. May 18th, 2024
NAWOJ, Lagos state chapter, had her May virtual Congress.
25. 27th June 2024
NAWOJ, Lagos state chapter, received in delegates of the Nigeria Girls Guide Association, at the NUJ secretariat, Lagos on a courtesy visit
26. 10th July 2024
NAWOJ, Lagos state, paid a sensitization visit to markets on preventive measures to curtail Cholera outbreak.
27. 31st July 2024
The Chairperson, NAWOJ Lagos state chapter, was decorated as the matron, Nigeria Girls Guide Association.
28. 29th August 2024
NAWOJ, Lagos state chapter hosted NAWOJ south west zonal Summit.
29. 31st August, 2024
NAWOJ Lagos state chapter partnered with the Nigerian Girls Guide Association (NGGA) to amplify the voices of girls and women, promoting Gender equality and empowerment
30. 25th September, 2025
NAWOJ Lagos went on a courtesy visit to Corps Commander Patrick . D. Davov. Lagos State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Coup. Lagos State Command.
31. 5th October 2024
NAWOJ Lagos state chapter Congress/ Stakeholders Engagement on VAPP Act, themed “From Bystanders to Allies”
32. 11th October 2024
NAWOJ Lagos state chapter issued a press statement to commemorate the years “International Day of the Girl Child”
33. 25th October 2024
NAWOJ Lagos State Chapter, paid a courtesy visit to the FRSC Sector Commander Lagos state.
34. 31st of October 2024.
NAWOJ Lagos state chapter paid a courtesy visit of commendation to the state Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on her efforts in tackling the menace of illicit drugs in Nigeria and to explore further areas of collaboration.
35. November 25th 2024.
NAWOJ members joined UNFPA/ WAPA walk in commemoration of year 2024 “16 Days Activism against Gender Based Violence
36. 25th November 2024.
Some members of the Association went to Owerri, Imo State, for the NUJ Triennial Delegates Conference.
37. 11th December, 2024
The Chairperson and AS attended the National Executive Council meeting held in Kano State.
38. 16th December, 2024
NAWOJ creche was painted had a new look for babies resumption in January
39. 20th January 2025.
The Association paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Mojisola Miranda when she was made the first female Speaker of the House of Assembly, Lagos State.
40. 29th January 2025.
The VC and AS, represented NAWOJ Lagos State chapter at the Southwest (Bzone) zonal summit held in Oshogbo, Osun state.
41. 27th February 2025.
The Association held her first Congress for the year 2025 online (virtual).
42. 11th March 2025.
Some members of the Association attended a symposium/ press conference held by partner Wikimedia in commemoration of the international women’s day in Victoria Island.
43. 13th March 2025.
NAWOJ Lagos State commemorated International Women’s Day in style.
44. 14th April 2025.
The FHI 360 Alive and Thrive project Coordinator, Mrs Toyin A. Gabriel paid visited the NAWOJ creche at the Radio Lagos office complex she commended the resilience of the Association and her executive led by Dr. Adeola Ekine in maintaining the standard of the creche.
45. 17th April 2025.
The Association held her Congress and the Credentials/ Electoral committee for the Association’s election was inaugurated.
46. 22nd April 2025.
The Chairperson and AS went for the Southwest zonal summit held in Ekiti state.
47. 3rd June, 2025.
NAWOJ Lagos State Chapter held its election