NAWOJ Zonal VP, Morenikeji Urges Members To Be Vibrant As Modupeola Becomes Ogun State Chairperson

ABEOKUTA – The B Zone Vice President of Nigerian Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ) Comrade Morenike Tony Esan has called on members of the association be more vibrant and united in order to move the association forward.

Comrade Morenike stated this in her inaugural speech held at the Nigerian Union of Journalist Secretariat, Iwe-Irohin, Abeokuta on Thursday, July 23, 2020, during the inauguration of a new executive to pilot Ogun State Chapter of NAWOJ for the period of three years (2020-2023).

She advised the new exco not to allow the position they hold to bring any hindrance to their homes and work while urging members of the association to change the uncomplimentary impression of publics about NAWOJ entirety.

In her acceptance speech, the newly elected chairperson of Nigerian Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ), Ogun State Chapter, Comrade Modupeola Sobukola has said that the first duty of her administration was to sustain the upward glide that belongs to all female journalists.

Comrade Sobukola noted that “NAWOJ is strong enough to defend us and other women against sexual exploitation and discrimination, flexible and progressive enough to increase our knowledge and professional values.”

She however enjoined the new exco “to be more vibrant and united in order to move the association forward, urging them not to allow the position they hold to bring any hindrance to their homes and work.

The Ogun NAWOJ boss disclosed that process of the election “was smooth, seamless, peaceful and devoid of rancour, at this time, speaks to the level of maturity, love and singleness of purpose, currently pervading the atmosphere of the union, and which must be hoisted higher for others to see and emulate.”

Comrade Sobukola however call on all Nawojians to join hands with the excos to set a better course for the voyage of association.

Her words, “A lot lies ahead of us. Give us the benefit of your support and wisdom and It shall bear testimony for or against us in due course before posterity.

“Journalism is about giving voice to the voiceless. And as Women journalist and mothers we are prepared to give a voice to women in different sector of the society. We are prepared to give a voice to Children and even our husbands where necessary.”

“Ogun NAWOJ under my watch as the Chairperson will give a voice against social vices and other indecent acts in the society. Its a collective responsibility and we as women journalists are ready within the next three years to join other constituted authorities to make our state and Nigeria and the journalism profession a lot better than it is now.”

The new executive of Ogun State Chapter of NAWOJ which emerged unopposed and inaugurated include Comrade Modupeola Sobukola (Chairperson), Comrade Oluseyi Ajala (Vice Chairperson) Comrade Aminat Orunsolu (Gen Secretary), Comrade Morekeniji Sobaloju (Treasurer) and Comrade Bosede Akintunde (Fin Sec), Comrade Adejoke Adeleye (Assistant Secretary).

Below is the full text of Comrade Modupeola Sobukola’s acceptance speech:

Acceptance Speech By Modupeola Sobukonla as The Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ Ogun State Chapter on Thursday, July 23, 2020 At Ogun NUJ Secretariat, Iwe Irohin, Oke- Ilewo, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Our Zonal Vice President
Our Nuj Caretaker Committee Chairman
Chairman Elect of Ogun Nuj
My General Manager,
Other General Managers Present
Colleagues

Good Morning,

That this has to take place under a bit of a dark cloud is a fact well known to everybody here gathered. That our heart is heavy and hiding a lot of shared pain, occasioned by a loss so close to home at this time is well understood by all. But, we are Family family, who draw strength as women made by God and strengthened by love. The joy of this occasion may be tempered, but our dream and purpose shall nudge us forward. It is on this note that I hereby present my acceptance speech As the Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Ogun State Chapter.

No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks, goes the admonishing words of James Allen. On this note i ll like to expresss my appreciarion first to the almighty God for this great privilege and to everyone of you here, who has in one way or the other contributed to the process which culminated in the emergence of a new set of executive for our great Association, (NAWOJ).

That the process was smooth, seamless, peaceful and devoid of rancour, at this time, speaks to the level of maturity, love and singleness of purpose, currently pervading the atmosphere of the union, and which must be hoisted higher for others to see and emulate.

As a branch of NUJ, its parent body, NAWOJ has done fairly well for itself, profiting from the tools and wisdom of past leaders and executives to shield itself from the the buffeting wind of unhealthy politics, enough, to deliver its core mandate of representing and promoting the varied, soft but compelling interest of women journalists in the state. Without holding brief for the past executives, it is safe to say they came, picked the gauntlets and advanced our cause further.

In stepping up and accepting the rare opportunity to lead this body at this time, I am inspired first by the eternal words of Samuel Smiles who said life is of little value unless it is consecrated by duty. While the duty to sustain the upward glide of NAWOJ belongs to us all, I consecrate myself at this time to be at the vanguard of A virile NAWOJ strong enough to defend us and other women against sexual exploitation and discrimination, flexible and progressive enough to increase our knowledge and professional values.

As executives, our eyes are set as flints towards achieving our tasks. But, like Mother Teresa said ‘I alone can not change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples’. No individual raindrop ever considers itself responsible for the flood, goes another anonymous words of wisdom.

It is in this wise that I, on behalf of the executive, call on all to join hands with us to set a better course for the voyage of this union.

A lot lies ahead of us. Give us the benefit of your support and wisdom and It shall bear testimony for or against us in due course before posterity.

Journalism is about giving voice to the voiceless. And as Women journalist and mothers we are prepared to give a voice to women in different sector of the society. We are prepared to give a voice to Children and even our husbands where necessary. Ogun Nawoj under my watch as the Chairperson will give a voice against social vices and other indecent acts in the society. Its a collective responsibility and we as women journalists are ready within the next three years to join other constituted authorities to make our state and Nigeria and the journalism profession a lot better than it is now.

In rounding off, may I once again single out for appreciation, the sacrifice and contributions of the immediate past executives, led by my respected (aunt ), Mrs Remi Adebiyi. Her tenure leaves behind a worthy template that shall be relied on.

I must also pay due recognition to the Electoral committee for a job well done to ensure this