Abiru to partner women journalists on empowerment

Etim Ekpimah

The senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Tokunbo Abiru, on Thursday, expressed willingness to partner the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos State Chapter in the area of empowering her members.

Speaking at his office at T.O.S. Benson Road, Ikorodu, Lagos State, the senator, during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the association, advised Lagos NAWOJ to come up with sustainable programmes which he could key into.

This was contained in a statement signed by the association’s assistant secretary, Abosede Adelaja on Friday, March 2.

He told the women that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has laudable schemes which women journalists could key into provided they have the pre-requisites like evidence of livelihood and existing enterprises, among others.

He said, “We can look at the various schemes that are running which your members can tap into. However, I won’t embark on a scheme that is not sustainable,” he said.

Abiru gave instances of schemes like agricultural, hospitality and trading which women journalists could conveniently key into to serve as alternative sources.

“We can apply for CBN intervention on behalf of the women provided they are qualified for such,” said Abiru.

Earlier, the chairperson of Lagos NAWOJ Comrade Adeola Ekine said the association is the largest women journalists’ body across the federation with members drawn from major media houses in Nigeria.

Ekine, who led other executive members of the association to the courtesy visit, sought the partnership of Senator Abiru, especially in the empowerment of her members.

She said: “The association has recognised the way you are impacting lives which we have witnessed during one of your empowerment programmes which took place before this courtesy visit and we will like to collaborate with you in the area of empowerment of our members.

“We wish to bring to your notice that the aftermath of the Covid-19 Pandemic has relieved some women journalists of their jobs, but we are hopeful that our collaboration with you will go a long way in the lives of our members,” she said.

Other executive members that were present at the courtesy visit were Comrades Bunmi Yekini (Vice Chairperson), Abosede Adelaja (Assistant Secretary) who represented Lilian Ario (Secretary), Olawunmi Shittu (Treasurer) and Monica Iheakam (Ex-Officio) just as the vice chairperson in her vote of thanks said the association was delighted to partner with the senator.

Earlier in the day, Senator Abiru had formally launched his Covid-19 Relief Financial Assistance which witnessed about 198 beneficiaries drawn from 98 wards in the senatorial district.

In his address, the senator said the financial assistance, which runs in phases was in fulfilment of his campaign promises to reach out to the vulnerable people in the society.

According to him, “Over 2,000 beneficiaries across 16 local government areas in the district have benefitted from the financial assistance to the tune of N5,000 every other month to relieve them from the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic, having successfully piloted the scheme in January and February 2021, the beneficiaries for the month of March will be credited today,” he said.

Senator Abiru said he intends to introduce other schemes like Traders Assistance, scholarship and bursary in earnest in addition to the donation of over 150 face masks to primary school pupils in the district through the Universal Basic Educational Board.

In a chat with our correspondent, some of the beneficiaries said their bank accounts had already been credited with N5,000 each as promised by the senator.