NAWOJ, NCWS Collaborates on Women's Skill-Acquisition Initiatives

NAWOJ, NCWS Collaborates on Women's Skill-Acquisition Initiatives

The National Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Aisha Ibrahim on Monday, reaffirmed the Association's commitment towards rekindling its relationship with the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), vowing to support the Council's leadership and drive joint action for women's training in skills development and enterpreunial empowerment.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the NCWS national Secretariat in Abuja, the NAWOJ Boss did not mince words, stating that it was time for women-led organizations to close ranks and "build a stronger voice for Nigerian women."

She applauded the NCWS leadership for steering the Council with purpose and promised that NAWOJ would no longer be passive in national issues affecting women.

“For some years now, NAWOJ hasn’t played an active role in NCWS affairs, but that ends now,” she declared. “We are back—not just to observe, but to support, contribute, and collaborate fully.”

In a move that signals a new direction, the NAWOJ chairperson proposed a series of joint workshops and training programs to empower women with skills in advocacy, leadership, and development communication. She emphasized the need for a mentorship network among women journalists and civil society actors, urging all hands to be on deck.

“Paying our dues goes beyond money,” she said. “It’s about standing by each other, sharing knowledge, and lifting each other up.”

The National Chairperson also made a passionate case for NAWOJ to reclaim its historical position in the NCWS leadership, noting that the role of Public Relations Officer was once solely reserved for the journalists’ body.

“We are ready to earn that seat again—through service, support, and solidarity,” she said.

She further called for the creation of a regular dialogue forum between both organizations to share ideas, address challenges, and track collective progress.

While congratulating the newly elected leadership of NCWS, the NAWOJ boss described their emergence as “a breath of fresh air” and encouraged them to work closely with media women across the country.

“Our mission is bigger than us. It’s about the millions of girls and women whose stories are yet to be heard. We have a duty to amplify those voices.”

In her response, The National President, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Princess Edna Azura, said Collaboration is what we stand for here as a council, because women, no one can do it alone, we can't do it alone. But when we come together, like you asked we should, I think that is when we will make headway. And that is when people will hear us, and that is when even the men will know that the women have woken up from their sleep and slumber.

And together, when we join forces, you bring ideas, we bring our own, we put them on the table and we work. I think that is the best way to do it. So in collaboration, we are open to collaboration, especially with you.

So we thank you very much for that. You will want to redeem your pledges. I don't know for how long now that you have not been part of force again.

I think it's a long way. But all the same, I feel we are always together. Maybe because, you know you are everywhere.

Anything we do, we call media people. So when we see media people, especially if they are female media people amongst them, we feel an award is here. So you've been covered.

It's only maybe the financial aspect of it. If not, we are always together with you. And you want to gain your position.

There is a position you mentioned that it was reserved for you over the years. Yes. The PRO.

The PRO. And that is how it should be, actually. Because I could remember when I was secretary, NCWS, FCT, then I knew the position of that PRO was reserved for now.

But at the National, I've never paid attention to it. And I think it's a good thing. We have to work towards it.

We have to work towards it. Because for one, why it will be difficult, we have to work towards it. Because now we are seriously on zoning pattern.

To come to the National, all the offices are being zoned. So we'll see, we'll look at the zoning and we'll look at how we can work that one out. So we are going to collaborate.

We look at our challenges and we look at our successes. Where there are challenges, we look at how we fill these gaps. Because certainly women in every area, we have lots of gaps.

And I think these gaps are our challenges. And we have success stories that when we share, it will help, it will propel you to do more and it will propel us to do more. And I think it's still a good time we discuss a little after now.

After I finish what I'm saying. So that we see where we can share opinions and from there we build on. Yeah, we inspire each other.

Already you have inspired me with your speech. I'm even looking for a copy. We inspire ourselves in what we do.

Thank you for congratulating me. Several of you have done and you are not tired of saying congratulations. On behalf of all of you, you have said, including those from Abia State, Lagos State, you have done it on their behalf.

I know NAWOJ has congratulated us. Thank you so very much. On this congratulatory letter, thank you so very much.

I'm going to put it in a frame and look at it because how much I so cherish you. Thank you, I'm very grateful. Thank you very much for everything.

And as I've said earlier, I wouldn't want to miss this opportunity. I keep on saying, you are special. And having you, I think we have to get on.

The visit ended on a high note, with both parties pledging mutual support and a renewed sense of purpose to drive impactful change for women across Nigeria