The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Kaduna State Chapter, has held its maiden public lecture, setting a new pace for professional development and gender empowerment within the media space.
The event, themed “Voices of Impact 2025: Women, Media and Social Change,” took place at Arewa House, Kaduna, bringing together key figures from the media, academia, government, and civil society.
The lecture focused on strengthening professionalism, promoting ethical reporting, and fostering leadership among women journalists. It also created a platform for mentorship and collaboration between emerging and established female professionals.
In her opening remarks, the Chairperson of NAWOJ Kaduna State Chapter, Comrade Sahura Jibril Maidoki, said the event marked a significant milestone in the association’s effort to enhance capacity and professionalism among women journalists in the state. She emphasized that female journalists play an essential role in shaping public opinion and advancing national dialogue, despite facing challenges such as gender bias, workplace discrimination, and limited opportunities for advancement.
“This lecture is not just a conversation—it’s a movement toward empowering women in journalism to take their rightful place as agents of positive change,” Maidoki stated.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, commended NAWOJ for its proactive initiative. He described the association’s focus on professional growth as timely and crucial for the state’s communication ecosystem.
“Empowering women in the media means empowering society,” Maiyaki said. “Journalists shape narratives, and when women’s voices are strengthened, the entire media space becomes more inclusive and credible.”
Representing the Managing Director of the Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC), Mr. Ben Kure, the Executive Director of Radio, Hajiya Farida Abubakar, lauded the lecture’s relevance, noting that the media industry is undergoing rapid change fueled by technology and the spread of misinformation.
“Journalists today must adapt to new realities while maintaining ethics and accuracy. NAWOJ’s focus on capacity building will help women journalists stay ahead in this evolving landscape,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, the National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim, represented by the association’s Auditor, Jamila Chinwe Abubakar, urged female journalists to remain steadfast in pursuing truth and fairness.
“The responsibility of the journalist has never been greater. We must continue to uphold ethical standards and amplify women’s voices in every sphere of society,” she advised.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the Nigerian Defence Academy Officers’ Wives Association (NDAWOWA), Hajiya Halima Yahaya Ibrahim, applauded NAWOJ Kaduna for organizing such a purposeful event. She described communication as a vital tool for peacebuilding and national development.
“When women are empowered to communicate effectively, they become catalysts for peace, unity, and national progress,” she said.
Other speakers at the lecture highlighted the critical role of ethical journalism and media literacy in combating misinformation and fostering accountability. They also called for stronger institutional support for women in media leadership positions.
The event concluded with the presentation of awards to individuals and organizations recognized for their outstanding contributions to journalism and the advancement of NAWOJ’s vision.
The maiden public lecture not only reaffirmed NAWOJ Kaduna’s commitment to excellence but also underscored the growing influence of women journalists in shaping the nation’s media narrative—one voice at a time.