NAWOJ FCT Members Pass Vote of Confidence in Chairperson Bassey Ikpang, Endorse Her for Second Term

Members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, have unanimously passed a vote of confidence in their Chairperson, Comrade Bassey Ita Ikpang, and endorsed her for a second term.

The endorsement was announced at the NAWOJ FCT Congress held on Saturday in Abuja, which drew about 130 members of the association. In a statement issued in Abuja, the association said the motion for the vote of confidence and second-term endorsement was moved by a former Chairperson of NAWOJ FCT, Comrade Joy Idam, and seconded by the Chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCTA Chapel, Comrade Ngozi Ufomba.

Members present adopted the motion unanimously through a voice vote, expressing satisfaction with the leadership, commitment and achievements of the Ikpang-led Executive Council. The endorsement reflects members’ confidence in the administration’s efforts to reposition NAWOJ FCT as a more visible, united, impactful and development-oriented professional association.

Comrade Ikpang assumed office on February 10, 2024, and her current tenure is expected to end in February 2027. The association noted that since assuming office, the Ikpang-led administration has focused on strategic partnerships, professional development, women’s empowerment, health advocacy, grassroots engagement and the welfare of female journalists.

Among its notable achievements is the signing of a two-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, a partnership that promotes collaboration in media development, research, innovation and national development while creating opportunities for capacity-building programmes, specialised training and exposure to Nigeria’s raw materials and industrial development value chains. The partnership also strengthens the capacity of female journalists to report on science, technology, entrepreneurship and economic development.

The administration also collaborated with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, on a cancer screening initiative targeting about 200 female journalists, underscoring the chapter’s commitment to ensuring that women journalists in the FCT have access to essential health information and preventive healthcare services.

On women’s leadership, the administration sustained advocacy for women’s empowerment, gender equality and increased participation of women in leadership and decision-making, participating in International Women’s Day activities in collaboration with the German Embassy and NUJ Utako. In a deliberate effort to promote inclusion, NAWOJ FCT celebrated the 2024 International Women’s Day in Garki Village, Abuja, bringing the celebration directly to rural women and recognising their contributions.

In 2025, the administration further strengthened its grassroots outreach by celebrating International Women’s Day with the wives of traditional rulers in the Abuja traditional kingdom, creating a platform for discussions on women’s empowerment, community development, health awareness and the role of traditional institutions in promoting the welfare of women and families.

For the 2026 Women’s Day, NAWOJ FCT took advocacy to Utako market in a marketplace event featuring talks on vaccine awareness and dismissing myths and misconceptions surrounding vaccine uptake and acceptability.

The administration also extended its health advocacy to grassroots communities through collaborations with relevant agencies and development partners to promote exclusive breastfeeding, appropriate infant and young child feeding practices, maternal health and healthy nutrition. In partnership with Little Angels, it carried out hygiene and menstrual health awareness campaigns in junior secondary schools, featuring hygiene talks, enlightenment on gender-based violence and the distribution of sanitary pads to students.

The association said the Ikpang-led administration remains committed to building a stronger, more inclusive and impactful NAWOJ FCT, where members’ welfare, professional growth, women’s advancement and service to society remain central to its agenda.