NAWOJ FCT, Chinese Embassy Explore Partnership To Empower Women Journalists
In a move that underscores the growing role of women journalists as drivers of development, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT Chapter, has sought a strategic partnership with the People’s Republic of China to strengthen media capacity and advance women’s empowerment in Nigeria.
The call was made during a high-level courtesy visit by NAWOJ FCT leadership and members to the Chinese Embassy in Abuja, where the delegation, led by its Chairperson, Comrade Bassey Ita-Ikpang, was warmly received by the Chinese Ambassador and senior embassy officials.
Welcoming the delegation, the Ambassador described the visit as historic, noting that it was the first formal engagement with NAWOJ as a professional body, despite the Embassy’s longstanding relationship with the Nigerian media.
He commended the association for its proactive outreach and invited its leadership to outline areas of collaboration.
In her presentation, Comrade Ita-Ikpang highlighted that NAWOJ FCT comprises over 350 active female journalists across print, broadcast and digital platforms.
She described members as development communicators committed to amplifying policies and programmes that impact women, children and underserved communities.
She identified key areas for collaboration, including capacity building through specialised media training, journalist exchange programmes to understudy China’s development model, digital inclusion for women in media, and joint health and girl-child advocacy initiatives.
The association also requested slots for 20 members in upcoming Chinese media training programmes.
Responding, an Embassy representative reaffirmed China’s global commitment to gender equality, referencing President Xi Jinping’s recent pledges, including expanded funding for women-focused projects, large-scale training opportunities and the establishment of a Global Centre for Women’s Capacity Building.
He expressed optimism that Nigerian women journalists would benefit from these initiatives.
Both parties agreed that a partnership with NAWOJ FCT would strengthen people-to-people relations while creating tangible benefits for women and girls in the Federal Capital Territory.
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