Have more women representation: Stakeholders charge Media Icons Planning Committee 2024

The National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has given the go – ahead for the year 2024, Milestone Recognition of Media Icons in Nigeria.

To this end, the Committee was reconstituted  to search the nooks and crannies of the country for well deserving media professionals who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the media industry in Nigeria.

To carry out the responsibility, the NUJ President, Dr. Chris Isiguzo, MFR approved a nine ( 9 ) member committee to be chaired by a veteran broadcast journalist, Otunba Gbenga Onayiga.

They are :  Adeleye Ajayi; Chairman, NUJ Lagos Council; Bimbo Oyetunde, National Trustee Zone F; Tunde Olalere, Secretary, Lagos NUJ Council; Sylvia Okereke former National Trustee B Zone and Julie Ekong, former National officer of NAWOJ.

Others are: Amos Etuk, Chiarman, Akwa Ibom Council; Tukur Hassan, Chairman, Katsina Council; Adewale Akodu of Lagos State Information Chapel and Olayide Awosanya; Assistant Secretary Lagos Council as Secretary of the Committee.

In an interview with Radio Nigeria, the Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Lagos State Chapter,     Dr Adeola Ekine, expressed the believe that honouring more women in the Media Icon event would go beyond fairness, but as a recognition of the diversity and richness that women in the field of journalism deserve.

“Being the third in the series, the Committee should ensure that women are well represented as award recipients to give balance to the event.”

According to her, women have provided unique perspectives and highlighted under reported issues especially those that have to do with the girl child and given a voice to the voiceless, worked in a male dominated profession and have held their heads high.

“They have tackled stories with creativity, empathy and tenacity often at great personal risks to a lot of women in the field, so celebrating them will encourage women in journalism and add value to the programme,” Adeola said.

Some recipients in the past editions include,  Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu, Aremo Segun Osoba, Mr Ray Ekpu, late Dr Raymond Alegbo Dokpesi, Mrs Agbeke Ogunsanwo, Prof Chinyere Akuna, Prof Ralph Akinfeleye, Comrade Mohammed Garba, Senator Chris Anyanwu, and Dr Danladi Bako.

Julie Ekong