…As New National EXCO Is Elected
AMINA BRAI OMOIKE
It is a new dawn for the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) as Aisha Ibrahim Kwaya-Bura, a senior staff of Borno State Ministry of Information, on Saturday emerged new national chairperson of the association.
Comrade Bura, who clinched the coveted seat after two consecutive attempts, is a graduate of Mass Communications from University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID).
Comrade Bura was declared winner after polling 498 votes against Comrade Ladi Bala, the incumbent president, who polled 381 votes, in the election which took place during the 11th triennial delegates conference of NAWOJ held at the Maryam Babangida Center for Women Development, Abuja on November 25, 2023.
In her acceptance speech immediately after the election, she congratulated all ‘Nawojians’ for a successful election.
She further informed members that henceforth, she should be addressed as ‘National Chairperson’ as against the former appellation of ‘President’, which has been reserved solely for the NUJ President.
She said that all state chairpersons will also be known as ‘State Coordinators’ and pledged the loyalty of the entire NAWOJ to the leadership of the umbrella Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by the President, Chris Isiguzo.
The Chairman of the NAWOJ 2023 Electoral Committee, Mike Ikeogwu while declaring her winner on Sunday said that NAWOJians had spoken through the ballot.
Other candidates who emerged successful are Lilian Ogabu Okonkwo, Deputy National President; Waslia Ladan, National Secretary and Aisha Cole, Assistant Secretary.
Fatima Rasheed emerged as National Treasurer, Jemila Chinwe Abubakar as National Auditor, Ifeoma Aka as Financial Secretary, Adeola Adekunle as vice President Zone B, Amaka Agbo as vice President, Zone C, Chizoba Ogbeche as Vice President Zone D, Stella Macauley as Vice President Zone F and Dahara Aliyu as Zonal Secretary Zone A.
The Electoral Process was monitored by some members of the National Executive of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) including the National President Chris Isiguzo and other observer groups.
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ). Mr. Chris Isiguzo charged the new leadership to embrace a new chapter characterized by collective strength to sustain and develop NAWOJ to meet the expectations for its establishment.
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, the umbrella body of women Journalists in Nigeria, was formed in 1989 to address the issues of gender inclusion and the professional development of women Journalists.
NAWOJ was established to increase women’s access and leadership in the media. Since inception, it has been in the forefront of campaigning for women’s inclusion in decision-making and governance in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos State chapter has congratulated Comrade Aisha Ibrahim Bura, on her emergence as the new President of NAWOJ.
NAWOJ Lagos chapter is optimistic that the victory of Hajia Bura at the just concluded 11th Triennial Delegates Conference shall spell a new beginning for the NAWOJ and open greater opportunities to female journalists across Nigeria.
In a press release signed by the Chairperson, NAWOJ, Lagos State Chapter, Dr. Adeola Ekine and the Secretary, Comrade Lilian Ario, the chapter also congratulated other elected members of the new Exco, especially the newly elected Vice President of B Zone, Comrade Adeola Adekunle, and Comrade Aisha Cole, Assistant National Secretary, who is a member of the Lagos State chapter, on their well-deserved victory.
