NAWOJ holds first South East Zonal Media Summit in Enugu

By CHINYERE Nnaemeka

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ has held its first South East Zonal Media Summit with the theme, “Empowering Voices, Enriching Communities, Bridging Gaps Through Media Engagements”,

The event which was organized by the NAWOJ Vice President Zone C, Comrade Amaka Agbo, and her team, took place on Friday, at Oakland Hotel, Ebeano Tunnel in Enugu State.

It had NAWOJ Chairperson from Imo State, Dorothy Nnaji, Ph.D, with her delegates, and other Chairpersons with their delegates from the other state chapters’ of the South East Zone; Anambra, Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu States, including the National President of the Association, Alhaja Aisha Ibrahim Bura, present to take part in the programme.

The National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Chief Dr. Chris Isiguzo, Zonal executives of NUJ, State Chairmen of NUJ, among other dignitaries were present to witness the occasion.

Giving the welcome address, the NAWOJ Vice President, Comrade Agbo who firstly appreciated all that were present to join them in ceremony, pointed out that the summit was the first ever media South East Summit organized by the association.

She continued, “Today we are not only making history but sharpening the future of journalism in Nigeria.The media is a powerful institution charged with the responsibility of holding leaders accountable, amplifying the voices of the people, and spotlighting injustice, which the theme of this summit, “Empowering Voices, Enriching Communities, Bridging Gaps Through Media Engagements” carefully captured.

“This theme speaks to the heart of what journalism should achieve – Empowering Voices reminds us that every individual regardless of gender, their ethnicity or background deserve to be here. We must continue to use our platforms to give voices to the voiceless, ensuring that marginalized communities have representation.

“Enriching Communities – points to the transformative power of well informed citizens; a community that is aware of its rights, resources, and responsibilities, is empowered to make meaningful choices.

“Bridging Gaps: addresses our responsibility to build understanding across the tribes whether cultural, economic or political. As journalists we bridge the gaps by creating a common ground, a shared understanding that can foster unity in diversity, ‘Agbo stated’

Looking at the way forward, she urged journalists especially the female ones to carry forward a renowned commitment to ethical and impactful journalism, remain resolute in their pursuit of truth and justice, empowering communities, and dismantling the obstacles in their path.

Agbo further mentioned some of the challenges the Zone was facing to be – lack of office, Internet facilities; computers, printers, photocopying machine, office furnitures, generator set, air-conditioner, Zonal bus, among others.

She therefore called on their invitees to assist them in any way they could in addressing the challenges, and prayed that the Lord will replenish their pocket as they do so.

Adding her voice, the National President Alhaja Bura, who expressed joy over the event thanked God for making it possible for them to be alive to witness the event, and for journey mercies He granted them, and their guests from diverse locations.

Alhaja Bura earnestly commended the Zonal Leadership of the Association led by VP Zone C, Comrade Amaka Agbo for being able to put up the event in “this period of economic hardship in the country”.

She also considered the theme of the programme as being apt, saying that all the ingredient of their duties as journalists are encapsulated in it.

She further averred,”It no longer news that everyday in this country that women are confronted with discrimination, inequality, violence, abuse, unequal treatment at home and at work, and are denied opportunities to learn, earn, and lead.

“According to World Health Organization, Nigerian has 34% global maternal death as the chance of women dying before or after child birth continues to be on the increase.

“Gender based violence has become a reoccurring decimal in our nation as WHO reports that 30% of women experience physical or sexual violence in their life time, and that 38% of women who are married are killed by their intimate partners.

“We must continue to take real time actions to task ourselves as professional in giving voices to the victims of these acts, this is why the current administration of NAWOJ under my leadership have worked out training, and retraining models to deliberately groom female journalists who will become ambassadors in reporting under reported areas of national, and global interest.

“We will continue to partner with security agencies to ensure that the female journalists are protected. We also urge other development partners to join us in promoting the profession by also ensuring security of media practitioners.

“We in the same vein appreciate well meaning individuals who over time have made immense contribution to the support of the wellbeing of media practitioners and urge them to continue so.

Speaking earlier, The Chairman of the Occasion, and National Publicity Secretary Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Rt. Hon. Chigozie Alex Ogbonnia, Ph.D, describing media practitioners as the most important personalities in the world, advised them to learn to know their place in the society.

Ogbonnia urged them, to work towards expunging many untrained persons who have infiltrated the media, and are making a mess of it with what he called ‘fake news’.

He continued, “There is a gap existing between the elders, leaders and the youths which is sometimes creating havoc. So I urge the women journalists especially as women are gifted by nature to tackle many things, to endeavor to bridge such gap through adopting one of your roles of being the watchdog of the society.

“Doing so will reduce youth restiveness, agitations of all sorts, and led to restructuring of the country which is what is needed to change the narratives of Nigeria,’Ogbonnia asserted.

The Keynote Speaker, Dr. Maxwell Menkiti Ngene, looking at the theme of the programme,”Empowering Voices, Enriching Communities, Bridging Gaps Through Media Engagements” urged for more women to be given opportunities to man diverse positions in the society.

NAWOJ through the NUJ National President, Dr. Isiguzo presented an Award of Excellence in Construction and Housing Infrastructure to New Festac Development Company Lagos State, owned by Sir Isaac Chukwu (Chuks INT’L)

The NAWOJ National President also presented an Award of Excellence to the Senator Representing Enugu West Senatorial District of Enugu State, Senator Osita Ngwu.

The high point of the event was cutting of the event’s cake. There were also lots to eat and drink, and the women danced to diverse beautiful music tunes.