Women journalists in Nigeria, under the aegis of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), will partner with Verbatim Media Group, publishers of Verbatim magazine and Verbatim online newspaper, to hold an innovative 100-Women-of-Excellence-event in the last quarter of this year.
The initiators of the program, Verbatim, broke news of the partnership with NAWOJ in Abuja in a press statement during the weekend.
It explained that the event will hold in Abuja with two key activities as highlights.
It listed the event highlights as: “First, the investiture of Nigeria’s first lady, Her Excellency, Aisha Buhari as Champion of Excellence and Integrity ” and sevondly, “the unveiling of a Compendium of 100 Women – a special publication on exemplary achievements by Nigerian women in public service, politics, business and other vocations” .
Tobs Agbaegbu, the Project Coordinator and publisher of Verbatim magazine who signed the press statement stated that what Verbatim sought partnership is for support to showcase ‘’a bold and innovative project, in words, photographs and document, to appreciate contemporary contribution of women in nation building in Nigeria, through collaborative action with NAWOJ and other gender friendly personalities and institutions.’’
He explained also that in the case of the First Lady of Nigeria who has in the past 7 years of the President Buhari administration, lived exemplary life by demonstrating immense courage to ask relevant questions about governance, led fights against various forms of abuses; fought to protect rights and privileges of women, and also for the less privileged in the society, ‘’the champion of integrity award will show that the media also applauds when things are being done right’’.
Agbaegbu also expressed happiness that NAWOJ, the authentic voice of women in journalism profession in Nigeria, was handy in accepting partnership with Verbatim, through a letter signed by Helen Udofia, the National Secretary, pointing out that with NAWOJ’s added strength, a higher percentage of success in the program will be achieved.
Agbaegbu, while acknowledging that the job to be done is enormous also promised that soon, the duo of Verbatim and NAWOJ will file out to visit gender sensitive personalities, institutions and corporate entities in Nigeria to seek their support for the project, in demonstration of love for women who are cornerstones of family growth and nation building in Nigeria.