NAWOJ FCT SEEKS MEDIA, CAPACITY-BUILDING PARTNERSHIP WITH CHINESE EMBASSY

By: Prudence Okonna

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, has sought to strengthen collaboration with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria.

In a statement released by the FCT-NAWOJ, the association sought partnership in the areas of media development, capacity building, women empowerment, and people-to-people diplomacy.

The request was made during a courtesy visit to the Chinese Embassy in Abuja, led by the Chairperson of NAWOJ FCT, Comrade Bassey Ita- Ikpang.

The NAWOJ FCT Chairperson sought support from the Chinese Embassy for the training of female journalists, media exchange, inclusion of members in fellowship opportunities programmes in China, support for women and community health advocacy.

Specifically, she requested the inclusion of 20 NAWOJ FCT members in training and capacity-building programmes in China to expose them to best practices in media development, technology and digital inclusion, innovation, public communication, development journalism, as well as girl-child education and women empowerment initiatives.

Ita- Ikpang noted that the chapter has recorded significant achievements in training of Women Journalists, advocacy, awareness creation, and capacity building, particularly in the areas of maternal, newborn and child health, women’s rights, girl-child education, and social inclusion.

She described NAWOJ as a professional, non-governmental association of female journalists drawn from print, broadcast, and online media, committed to promoting professionalism, ethical journalism, gender equity, and national development.

Ita-Ikpang explained that NAWOJ FCT has a history of productive partnerships with government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as international and local development organisations, leading to impactful advocacy campaigns, professional trainings, and community engagement initiatives.

While appreciating the Chinese Ambassador for the warm reception accorded to the delegation, she outlined areas where NAWOJ FCT could support the Chinese Embassy, including responsible and balanced media engagement, amplification of Embassy-supported initiatives through NAWOJ’s extensive media networks, grassroots community outreach among women and youth, and cultural exchange through storytelling and media coverage.

Responding, a Counsellor Officer at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria, Dong Hairong, noted that China enjoys a cordial media relationship in Nigeria and expressed openness to further discussions with NAWOJ FCT to explore areas of collaboration in the near future.

The diplomat also disclosed that China has lined up empowerment programmes aimed at supporting about 50,000 people across different countries within the next five years, focusing on five strategic areas of training and empowerment.

She reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and partnerships that promote development, capacity building, and mutual understanding among nations.

The courtesy visit ended with both parties expressing optimism about sustained engagement and mutually beneficial collaboration between NAWOJ FCT and the Chinese Embassy.