The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT Chapter, has strengthened its position as a leading voice for women empowerment and development communication with the signing of a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).
The landmark partnership, signed in Abuja on Monday, will deepen collaboration between the women journalists and the Council in media advocacy, public awareness, women empowerment, raw materials processing, value-chain development and capacity building.
The agreement is expected to open a new chapter for NAWOJ FCT members, providing greater opportunities for women journalists to report, promote and advocate initiatives capable of improving livelihoods and supporting Nigeria’s industrial development.
Speaking at the ceremony, NAWOJ FCT Chairperson, Bassey Ita Ikpang, described the partnership as a strategic milestone that would further strengthen the association’s contribution to national development.
Ikpang said NAWOJ FCT recognised the power of the media to influence society, shape public discourse and bring development programmes closer to the people.
According to her, women journalists would use their professional platforms to tell compelling stories about Nigeria’s raw materials potential, local innovations, women entrepreneurs and value-added products.
She assured RMRDC that NAWOJ FCT would remain committed to promoting initiatives that create opportunities for women and contribute to economic growth.
The NAWOJ FCT chairperson also commended the RMRDC management for identifying women journalists as important partners in development communication, describing the collaboration as an opportunity to amplify positive stories of innovation, empowerment and industrial advancement.
Also speaking, Deputy Director, Gender and Mainstreaming and Disability Unit of RMRDC, Dr Grace Abidoye, acknowledged the importance of the partnership, saying collaboration with NAWOJ would help the Council reach wider audiences and increase awareness of its programmes.
She said the partnership would particularly support efforts aimed at empowering women, promoting value addition and advancing inclusive development.
The RMRDC Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, challenged the partners to transform the agreement into practical initiatives with measurable impact.
Ike-Muonso urged the Gender Department and NAWOJ FCT to develop concrete projects that would give the MoU “a teeth,” stressing that the partnership should produce tangible benefits for Nigerians.
Earlier, a representative of the RMRDC Director of Legal and Board Services, Mr Idaopu Wakama, said the MoU provides the framework for sustained collaboration between both organisations.
He explained that the agreement covers media advocacy and public awareness, women empowerment, raw materials processing and value-chain development, as well as capacity building in raw materials processing and product development.
With the two-year agreement now in place, NAWOJ FCT is poised to play an even greater role in promoting women-focused development initiatives, raising public awareness and ensuring that the stories of Nigerian women driving innovation and economic growth receive the visibility they deserve.
The partnership further underscores NAWOJ FCT’s growing relevance as a strategic media partner in advancing women empowerment, development journalism and Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.