The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, is seeking to collaborate with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, to enhance opportunities for women journalists across the country.
With the aim to empower women journalists through various capacity-building initiatives and entrepreneurship support programs.
During a courtesy call on SMEDAN at its headquarters in Abuja, on Tuesday, the National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Aisha Ibrahim, said the association was eager to collaborate with SMEDAN in advancing the interests of women journalists.Â
She said NAWOJ is focused on addressing gender disparities in the media industry and promoting economic empowerment among women.
Ibrahim, emphasized the importance of empowering women in the media profession and leveraging their skills for broader socio-economic development.
She highlighted NAWOJ’s commitment to working hand in hand with SMEDAN to design and implement impactful programs tailored to the needs of women journalists across Nigeria.
Ibrahim said, “It is our hope that we can begin today to see the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with you.
“In our previous interactions with Mrs Olabimpe Fawale, Head, Women and Youth Unit, we expressed our hope for partnership with SMEDAN in building the capacity of our members from Zone to zone until we are able to cover the six geopolitical zones that the association is made up of.
“We therefore implore you to deplore your good offices in approving for special capacity building trainings for our members, and to also approve access to the grant components of SMEDAN to enable those who have been equipped with capacity to be established and to grow their enterprises.
She noted that NAWOJ is voice to the voiceless, drumming up awareness on hydra-headed issues militating against the wellbeing and progress of women, family institutions and the nation at large.
She explained “We collaborate with various well meaning institutions in carrying out advocacies in support of gender equality and equity, and therefore, for over 3 decades since the formation of this Association we have been frontliners in raising the bar for the advancement of Nigerian women, whether as politicians or as captains of industry.
“Thank you so much for how the organization has made a tremendous ìmpact under your watch as DG.
In his response, Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, welcomed NAWOJ’s initiative and assured the organization of SMEDAN’s readiness to support women journalists in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Odii, who was represented by Director, Director-General’s Office at SMEDAN, Onesi-Lawani, reiterated Agency’s commitment to providing training, access to finance, and other resources to empower women journalists to pursue entrepreneurial ventures and contribute to national development.
Lawani said, ‘The Director-General had declared that, ‘in any program that we’re running, grants about 40% should be made up of women, and we’re driving that the M&E department is going to ensure that even in the designing, even in the planning stage, women must be part of it.
“Now that NAWOJ, which is the fourth estate of the realm, has come to us, we can’t help but see how we can work together more closely, see how you can help in ensuring that the right information is pushed out.
“The issue that’s been happening over time is that information goes out but it’s adulterated.”
Lawani further stated that, “We believe that with NAWOJ helping to talk about SMEDAN, other stakeholders will be interested in what we are doing, because if you have a testimony that you can already showcase to the world, people are now ready to come and partner with us.”
