Bassey Ita-Ikpang of Nigeria Television Authority, (NTA) has been declared Chairperson of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalist, (NAWOJ), at the just concluded election.
Ita-Ikpang, in her acceptance speech , shortly after the swearing in ceremony on Saturday in Abuja, pledged unwavering commitment to the upliftment of NAWOJ FCT chapter.
“I assure you that I will work tirelessly to uphold the values and principles of NAWOJ.
“Together we will strive to learn, evolve, advocate and develop ourselves so as to promote gender equality, empower women in journalism and advocate for press freedom,” she said
Expressing her appreciation to fellow candidates and NAWOJ FCT, she said:”I pledge to be accessible, transparent and inclusive in my leadership.
“Your input and feedback will be invaluable as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Bassey racontested unopposed after the stepping down of her opponent and former FCT NAWOJ Chairperson, Anna Daniels, is a Manager News and Current Affairs with NTA.
For the position of Vice Chairperson, Rebecca Bolanle-Ukpevo emerged victorious polling125 to beat her opponent, Francisca Ogar, who got 115 votes
Other unopposed positions contested for include: Secretary, Nkiruka Nnoli-Okeke; Assistant Secretary, Laraba Murrey; Financial Secretary, Remi Johnson; Internal Auditor, Mena Iorkegh; and Treasurer, Chinasu Udeze.
Newly elected Assistant Secretary, NAWOJ, Laraba Murrey, described the process as satisfactory and gave her commitment towards discharging her duties effectively.
She said “I am excited because this is a new chapter not only for myself because this is my first time of being as excos but I see it as bringing women together in the FCT, especially female Journalists.
“I also see us conquering grounds in the area of professionalism as regards female journalist in the FCT.
“It is also an opportunity to bring on board things that I have been learning, while on the sidelines to move association forward,”she said.
Describing the election as a turning point and keenly contested for, Joy Yesufu-Baba, a reporter with People’s Daily described the process as peaceful and well coordinated.
She, however charged those that emerges winners to discharge their duties effectively for the benefit of the association.
“They have been elected into various positions and we expect top performance and effectiveness in the discharge of their duties within the tenets of the profession,”she said.
Gender advocate and reporter for New Telegraph Newspaper, Deborah Ocheni
urged the incoming officers to ensure that women issues were projected in their media outfits and the nation as a whole.
