The former National President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rtn. Evelyn Onyilo, has been conferred with the Distinguished Service and Leadership Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the growth and development of women in journalism during her tenure from 2002 to 2004.
The award, presented to her alongside other past leaders of the Union by the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya honors her tireless efforts in promoting ethical journalism, empowering female media professionals, and strengthening NAWOJ as a national platform for advocacy, unity, and progress.
Serving at a time when women in the media were still navigating systemic challenges such as gender discrimination, underrepresentation in leadership, and limited access to capacity-building resources, Evelyn led with courage, integrity, and a deep commitment to inclusion. Under her leadership, NAWOJ expanded its reach across the federation, fostering stronger collaborations between state chapters and deepening the association’s influence in both media and policymaking spaces.
Her tenure as National President was marked by several landmark achievements. These included the initiation of national training programs tailored specifically for women journalists, active engagement with policy-makers on media-related gender issues, and sustained advocacy for press freedom.
Similarly, safety of journalists, and the protection of women’s rights in and beyond the newsroom as well as giving it a legal status. She also championed the association’s involvement in national and international forums, giving Nigerian female journalists a voice on the global stage.
Evelyn Onyilo later in 2015 became the President/Founder of the Initiative for Women’s Accelerated Development In Africa (INWOAD), an NGO whose vision is to mobilise women to participate actively in national development and campaign against any form of discrimination among women and girls.
The award recognizes not only her service in office but the enduring legacy of her leadership. Many of the reforms and initiatives introduced during her administration have continued to shape the direction of NAWOJ and influence journalism practices in Nigeria. She is widely credited with instilling a strong sense of professionalism, mentorship, and solidarity among women journalists—a vision that continues to guide the association today.
The Initiative for Women’s Accelerated Development in Africa INWOAD celebrates this recognition as a well-deserved tribute to a leader whose dedication to gender equity, journalistic excellence, and institutional growth remains a benchmark for others. Her efforts have paved the way for successive generations of women in media, creating opportunities for advancement, advocacy, and representation in spaces that were once out of reach for many.
This award serves as a powerful reminder of the value of service-driven leadership and the importance of preserving and honouring the contributions of women who have laid the groundwork for transformation in the Nigerian media landscape.
INWOAD hereby extend s its sincere appreciation to the NUJ National President and executives for the honour bestowed on our dear Leader.
This was contained in a Statement Signed by Comrade Lydia Samson, National Coordinator
INWOAD.