By Joy Omagha Idam
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Aliyu Mukhtar Betara, OON, has pledged to personally fund and construct a befitting National Secretariat for the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Abuja.
Hon. Betara made this commitment while receiving a delegation of NAWOJ, led by its National Chairperson, Hajiya Aishatu Ibrahim, during a courtesy visit to his office.
Responding to the association’s request for support in developing its newly acquired land in Lugbe, Abuja, the lawmaker assured the delegation of his full backing, stating that he would take personal responsibility for the project.
“I will personally ensure that NAWOJ has a befitting National Secretariat,” he said, adding that he would also engage the Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, to secure the necessary institutional support. “I will discuss with the Minister to ensure we get the required backing to move this project forward,” he added.
Hon. Betara further advised the NAWOJ leadership to ensure that all relevant documentation is properly in place to facilitate seamless approvals and implementation processes.
The lawmaker also endorsed the forthcoming Women in Security Summit and Awards (WINSEC) 2026, an initiative of NAWOJ in collaboration with AIT. The programme is designed to honour courage, dedication, and sacrifice among individuals in the nation’s security sector. He described the initiative as timely and impactful, expressing strong support for its objectives.
He commended NAWOJ for its commitment to promoting professional journalism and amplifying the voices of women across the country. He also appreciated the association for recognising his contributions to constituency development and women empowerment.
Earlier, the NAWOJ National Chairperson, Hajiya Aishatu Ibrahim, stated that the purpose of the visit was to formally notify Hon. Betara of his nomination for an award, in recognition of his impactful projects, particularly those focused on empowering women and youths.
She also disclosed that the association had recently secured a Certificate of Occupancy for land in Lugbe, Abuja, earmarked for the construction of its National Secretariat.
In his response, Hon. Betara expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting NAWOJ, pledging continued collaboration with the association.
The visit highlights the growing partnership between policymakers and the media in advancing national development and strengthening institutional capacity for women in journalism.
This was contained in a statement signed by Hajia Aisha Ibrahim, National Chairperson NAWOJ.