By Wuraola Oyedokun
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State ,Pastor Sulaimon Olanrewaju, on Thursday, pledged to support the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Oyo State on the welfare of its members and humanitarian programmes
Olanrewaju made the pledge while hosting the Oyo NAWOJ Executives led by Comrade Omolola Alamu at Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, the state capital.
According to the governor’s spokesperson, the Seyi Makinde-led administration places priority on the issues affecting women in the state, especially through lofty programmes from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion.
Olanrewaju, who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, said his office will partner with Oyo NAWOJ in its laudable programmes aimed at improving the welfare of women journalists in Oyo state.
The governor’s Media Adviser said: “Let me congratulate you on your emergence as Chairperson of Oyo NAWOJ and other executive members of the Association. It’s not a given that any member of an association will be the President or Chairperson .It is a function of what people see and the values that person portrays. They have seen what you have done over the years and they believe that the next level for the association can only be achieved if you take up the position.
“I want to enjoin all of you not to let down your people. When leaders fail, so many things go wrong. You can imagine what your association went through in the last few months. That’s an example of what happens in a larger society. When the leader fails, everything goes awry. So, I want to plead with you to put the well-being of your members into consideration in all your undertakings. I am glad you are starting with their welfare.
“We have a responsibility to take care of ourselves as we take care of the interest of the society. A weak person can’t defend an honourable person. It is when we come together and strengthen ourselves that we can do our job as expected. I want to assure you that by the grace of God we will support your tenure”.
In her remarks, the state NAWOJ chairperson, Alamu said the essence of the visits was to solicit the support of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor on welfare of members of the association in the state.
According to Alamu, the association is planning to organise palliative programmes for all members in the state to cushion the harsh economic situation in the country.
“By August, the association will roll out a palliative programme. Hence, the need to solicit support of individuals and relevant stakeholders towards ensuring a better society for women journalists in the state”, she added.
Also in attendance were Vice Chairperson of the association, Mrs. Bola Okanlanwon; Secretary, Eniola Adeaga; Treasurer, Mosun Akinola; Assistant Secretary, Opeyemi Ogunniyi and Financial Secretary, Kehinde Igbari.