National Secretary, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs Ladi Patric has called on Women Journalists to strive to maintain the true virtue of professionalism in the discharge of their responsibility as indispensable pillar of the revered journalism profession.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new executive council members of the Kano State Chapter of the association held at the NUJ Press Centre in Kano Tuesday, Patrick said journalism was a noble profession being widely acknowledged and regarded as a veritable tool for national development in a democratic dispensation that needed to be supported by all and sundry.
She said :” As professionals , you are expected to wage a vigorous campaign against the menace of drug abuse among youths who are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of the country. if you failed to live up to your billing, you are bound to fail the nation in every sphere. Your inauguration today would serve as a tonic to the struggle for achieving the lofty ideals”
“The national body of this great union, have an unfettered confidence in you, having had the opportunity to be elected unopposed, which I considered as a great testimony to your capacity and courage in facing the gruelling challenges ahead of you. I want inform you that Kano is trailing Lagos in terms of the huge size of membership, and NAWOJ is really proud of you” she stressed.
In her address, the newly sworn-in Chairperson of NAWOJ Kano State Chapter, Hajiya Bilkisu Ado Zango said the quest for transformation and participation required courage and determination and that it was important that Women journalists always seek to reach for the best and the best of what they might become in shaping and moulding the destiny of the nation.
She said” we need new model and innovative thinking based on deeper and better connection for the next three years to reactivate our great association and move it to the next great level by collecting data of NAWOJ members, build capacity of members, conduct advocacy, partnering with other organizations as well as ensure entrepreneurship training and skills for our members in order to boost their lively hood she affirmed.
Speaking earlier, Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kano State Council, Comrade Abbas Ibrahim counseled the new executive council members of NAWOJ to be fully alive to their professional responsibility of propelling the union to greater heights stressing that there was the compelling need for them to work in tandem for greater result.