Desmond Iwuchukwu
In line with the European Union (EU) efforts to deepen democratic governance in Nigeria, the Institute for Media and Society (IMS) has donated some office equipment to the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State Chapter.
Presenting the office equipment to Mrs Ladi Bala, President of NAWOJ, in Port Harcourt on Monday, the IMS Executive Director, Dr Akin Akingbulu, stated that the initiative was in line with the commitment of the European Union to empower women journalists for optimal performance.
Akingbulu noted that in view of the roles women play in building society, there was a need to encourage them to take centre stage in whatever position they find themselves.
The IMS Director said that the equipment would encourage female journalists to discharge their duties with ease.
Among the equipment donated to NAWOJ are three office tables, six office chairs, two fans, a generator and an air conditioner.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of NAWOJ, Mrs Bala thanked the IMS for the donation, describing the gesture as historic.
According to her, the IMS gesture was the first of such in the history of NAWOJ in the last 33 years of its existence.
Bala, while handing over the equipment to Chairperson, NAWOJ, Rivers State chapter, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, charged the female journalists to make judicious use of the equipment for the purpose they are meant.
She commended IMS for always remembering NAWOJ in all its programmes.
She noted that since NAWOJ went into partnership with IMS, it has been one training programme after the other to improve the lives of women journalists in the country.
In her remarks, Serekara-Nwikhana expressed gratitude to IMS and promised to ensure that the equipment is used for the purpose they are meant.
The Rivers State NAWOJ chairperson also promised that the association would continue to serve as the voice of women in society.
