By Sharon Akuboh
In a time when economic realities continue to weigh heavily on many Nigerian families, gestures of support and solidarity are becoming more than acts of kindness — they are lifelines. For members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, particularly widows and vulnerable women within the association, a recent intervention by the National Secretariat has once again reinforced the power of unity, compassion, and purposeful leadership.
The National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Aishatu Ibrahim, revealed how a welfare-driven initiative embarked upon during the Ramadan fasting period eventually yielded positive results through collaboration with the North East Development Commission.
According to her, the request was initially made with the intention of providing relief materials to members during the holy fasting season. Though the response did not arrive as quickly as anticipated, the association recently received approval to collect the allocated items from the commission’s central store.
The intervention included 40 bags of 25kg rice, 20 cartons each of spaghetti and macaroni, as well as 28 gallons of cooking oil — essential household supplies capable of easing the burden on many families struggling with rising living costs.
In demonstrating the importance of teamwork and trust, Aishatu Ibrahim explained that because she was still in Abuja at the time of collection, she delegated the responsibility to her Personal Assistant, popularly known as Iya Maaji, alongside two other representatives, who successfully received the items on behalf of the association.
What followed was a coordinated distribution process involving several NAWOJ chapters across the North-East region. While officials of the Borno State Chapter personally received their allocation, supplies meant for Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe states were dispatched through waybill arrangements to ensure wider reach and accessibility.
Beyond the physical items distributed, the intervention carried a deeper message — that meaningful engagement with agencies, commissions, and intervention-based institutions can open doors to opportunities that directly benefit members of professional bodies and associations.
The NAWOJ leadership therefore encouraged state chapters to intentionally cultivate strategic relationships with organizations operating within their respective states. According to the chairperson, the National Secretariat remains committed to supporting such engagements to ensure more members continue to benefit from welfare initiatives and partnerships.
However, perhaps the most touching aspect of the intervention was the directive that widows should be prioritized in the distribution process. It was a call rooted not merely in policy, but in empathy.
“As women, mothers, and sisters, we understand that some burdens are carried silently,” the chairperson stated, emphasizing the need to support vulnerable members within the association.
The initiative has since been praised by members as a reflection of true sisterhood — one that goes beyond professional networking to embrace care, inclusion, and humanity.
At a time when many Nigerians are searching for hope amid economic uncertainty, NAWOJ’s outreach serves as a reminder that collective compassion and strategic partnerships can still make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
The entire management and Editorial Staff of Weekenders magazine Celebrates the National Chairperson of NAWOJ for the good job.