The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with diplomatic missions in Nigeria to promote women empowerment, gender inclusion, and leadership participation.
The announcement was made at a recent luncheon hosted by the Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Sanna Selin, in honour of female ambassadors serving in the country. The event was attended by NAWOJ FCT Chairperson, Comrade Bassey Ita-Ikpang, alongside members of the association.
The luncheon provided a platform for relationship-building, experience sharing, and constructive dialogue on issues affecting women and girls, with discussions focusing on women’s economic empowerment, climate resilience, social protection, political participation, and combating gender-based violence. Female ambassadors from countries including Germany, Sweden, Botswana, and Cuba participated in the engagement.
Speaking at the event, Ita-Ikpang thanked Ambassador Selin for the invitation and commended Finland’s global leadership in gender equality and inclusive development. She described NAWOJ as a professional network of women journalists across Nigeria’s 36 states, supported by proactive national leadership committed to amplifying the voices of women and girls.
“The FCT Chapter alone has over 350 women journalists working across print, broadcast, and online platforms nationwide. NAWOJ plays a strategic role in bridging the gap between government institutions, development partners, and citizens through credible and ethical journalism,” she said.
Highlighting NAWOJ’s grassroots outreach, Ita-Ikpang recalled the association’s partnership with the Association of Wives of Traditional Rulers during last year’s International Women’s Day celebrations in the FCT, which targeted rural communities with advocacy messages on women’s rights and health.
Looking ahead, she announced plans for major public engagement activities in 2026, including programmes in partnership with the German Embassy, reflecting NAWOJ’s growing collaboration with the diplomatic community.
Ita-Ikpang also appealed for support in capacity-building initiatives for female journalists, particularly in mobile journalism and the application of artificial intelligence in digital content creation, noting that such training would enhance competitiveness, promote economic empowerment, and strengthen women’s leadership in the digital economy.
“NAWOJ FCT remains committed to amplifying the development programmes of diplomatic missions, spotlighting advocacy initiatives, and supporting evidence-based campaigns through responsible and impactful journalism,” she said.
In their remarks, Ambassador Selin and other female ambassadors thanked NAWOJ for the engagement and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting women’s leadership, inclusive governance, and gender equality in Nigeria.
Participants at the luncheon emphasized the need for stronger female representation in governance and leadership, noting that current figures still fall short of United Nations targets on gender inclusion.
The engagement marked a significant step in strengthening relations between NAWOJ and the diplomatic community, laying a solid foundation for sustained collaboration to advance the rights, opportunities, and voices of women and girls across Nigeria.