Abuja: The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, has reached out to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria to explore collaboration opportunities in media development, capacity building, and initiatives aimed at empowering women.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mrs Bassey Ita-Ikpang, Chairperson of NAWOJ FCT, made the appeal during a recent courtesy visit to the Chinese Embassy in Abuja. She highlighted the importance of partnerships that foster people-to-people diplomacy, media exchanges, and fellowship opportunities specifically for female journalists. Moreover, she expressed a keen interest in securing the embassy’s support for training programs tailored for women journalists, proposing the inclusion of 20 NAWOJ FCT members in capacity-building initiatives in China. This initiative, she noted, would offer exposure to international best practices.
Ita-Ikpang elaborated that the proposed programs would cover various topics including media development, technology and digital inclusion, innovation, public communication, development journalism, girl-child education, and women empowerment. The aim is to enhance the skills and knowledge of the journalists participating in these programs. She also shared that NAWOJ FCT has achieved significant milestones in training, advocacy, and awareness, particularly in areas such as maternal, newborn and child health, women’s rights, girl-child education, and social inclusion, thereby reinforcing the role of women journalists.
Describing NAWOJ as a professional non-governmental association comprising female journalists from print, broadcast, and online media, Ita-Ikpang underscored its dedication to ethical journalism, gender equity, and national development. She highlighted NAWOJ’s successful partnerships with government agencies and both local and international development organizations, which have resulted in impactful advocacy campaigns and community engagement initiatives that advance women and youth development.
The chairperson expressed gratitude to the Chinese Ambassador for the opportunity to engage with the embassy and assured that NAWOJ would support efforts to promote responsible and balanced media engagement throughout Nigeria. She further mentioned that NAWOJ FCT could leverage its media networks to amplify embassy-supported initiatives, promote grassroots outreach among women and youth, and facilitate cultural exchange through storytelling and media coverage.
In response, Ms Dong Hairong, Counsellor Officer at the Chinese Embassy, acknowledged the cordial relationship between China and the Nigerian media and expressed openness to further discussions with NAWOJ FCT on potential collaboration. Hairong revealed that China was planning empowerment programs aimed at benefiting approximately 50,000 people across various countries over the next five years, focusing on five strategic areas of training and development. She reiterated China’s commitment to partnerships that nurture development, capacity building, and mutual understanding among nations, and encouraged closer collaboration with professional associations like NAWOJ.