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Aisha Kwaya-Bura on a mission to take nawoj to the next level
Aisha Kwaya-Bura on a mission to take nawoj to the next level
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) is a liberal organization for professional journalists. It has also given maximum room for women to breath. Also in spite of the fact that the union regards every member as gentlemen of the press, the body has found a way to permit the women among us to enjoy equal status like men in the country as they associate in the name of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (nawoj) . That equilibrium was struck over 30 years ago and it’s been a win win situation all the way for our Comrade women. The Nigerian Association of women journalists (Nawoj) is equally about the growth of women and it is an association that basically caters for our women colleagues and their children who feel the brunt of the hardship they encounter in the trenches like their male colleagues. It is for this reason that delegates should vote for Comrade Aisha Ibrahim Kwaya-Bura for President of the association. Any attempt not to vote for anyone with like minds like this result oriented Comrade would be a futile exercise for the return to the politics of false hope, lack of transparency, emotion and mediocrity.
Who is Aisha Kwaya Bura?
Aisha Bura is a journalist per excellence who has seen it all in the profession. Even if you can’t claim to know all about her, the little we know while watching her in Borno has to do with her ability to lead from the front when it comes to the welfare of her gender. During the times I have seen her attend congress, she had always been a servant leader who watches the back of others before crossing the road concerning the NUJ. She has shown quite alright that she is not a push over in the politics of the NUJ and has paid her dues in the business of being a welfare unionist. She is a rare breed between the NUJ and nawoj. Voting for her will mean voting for a mother figure who will help bring the women together and ensure that the home front does not suffer at all. This university of maiduguri mass communication graduate is a veteran in the political tuff of the NUJ and that makes her a much more matured and stable candidate for the presidency. As one of those practicing when women were second rated in Nigerian politics, she knows what it takes to carry women along the paths of righteousness to achieve a common goal of unity devoid of clannish pettiness and emotional instability. And that is why she has contested many positions and won at the NUJ level within her region in the country. This journalist has international connections the entire women journalists will benefit from.
Indeed NAWOj was established on 14th September 1989, to serve as a rallying point for Nigerian female journalists.The birth of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists was the result of the struggle to gain more recognition for women in the journalism profession. And that kind of recognition is already fixed if some delegates will put aside their pettiness and vote for someone who is emotionally stable and not someone who will “talk down” on you during congress meetings at the national level. Or a candidate who will behave like a tug and intimidate you for demanding for transparency over your finances. With Aisha you are safe when it comes to your funds for instance because she has already aligned with a tested hand for internal auditor in Jemila Abubakar of the NTA.
A vote for Aisha will ensure that the efforts by the pioneer President of Nawoj Brenda Akpan and a few female journalists who started the association will not go in vein because we can all see that the last three years were wasted years poured down the drain of insolence, indulgence, latent corruption and outright vein glory to one individual instead of the collectivity of the union. Unionism is not about filling your pockets or using check up dues to outshine one another. It is about selflessness and you will see that in Aisha a servant leader.
With the support of some of us who are gender sensitive, it is our intention to ensure that the next leadership under Comrade Aisha Kwaya Bura will become as transparent as possible as it was during the leadership of George Izobo which molded nawoj into existence as an affiliate to the NUJ instead of a nonchalant challenging monster to the NUJ as the incumbent leaders are trying to turn the association into. Gentlemen colleagues any aspiring leader that is not with the NUJ our parent union is a lost sheep. Do not waste your precious votes on them. Vote Aisha a well balanced member of the association and the NUJ.
Bringing the association back to the original ideals.
Nawoj was formed to serve professionally as an umbrella organization for all female journalists in the country and to cater for their career interests in terms of training and retraining and to take care of the responsibility of the welfare and interests of women and children in the society. Most of these ideas have been eroded away by pettiness and obstinate tendencies not known to our constitution.
At some point, some observers have began to think nawoj was an autonomous organization which does not take cues from any one at the national level. But that is not the nawojian body founded by those who wanted better things for female comrades. NAWOJ is an affiliate of the parent NUJ constituted so that the union shall take notice of them in times like these and NAWOJ, will remain as its affiliate. When nawoj was formed over 30 years ago, by a group of female journalists who came together, it was meant to attract goodwill and respect to themselves and respect for others. Surely not for authoritative tendencies and outright despotism as is displayed by the incumbent who wants to return with more punishment for you if you bring her back. This is why you want to vote for Aisha Ibrahim Kwaya-bura a mother, sister and friend who will use her soft spoken nature to take you from where you are into the pinnacle of excellence where you should be and by God’s grace the sky will be the beginning of good things to come.
Gentlemen, Nawojians have made their mark in different ways in this country. This is the time to abandon the old ways of doing things to the contemporary which is collaboration with all willing partners for the good of gender parity and the progress of the woman folk.
16th The advent of dangerous diseases like COVID-19 and diphtheria hunting our children cannot escape the eagle eyes of Aisha because these concerns our children. You will see less talk and more actions in her executive when she wins. Nobody will be left out on the quest for a good living condition even the wives of our male colleagues during sickness or death. This is because of her principled and incorruptible background. Her ways of doing things are unique. And let me tell you, she will respect the view of congress.
Proactive response to challenges
Recently, a radio executive in katsina state was accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague. Comrade Aisha virtually condemned it with a warning that her executive will not leave such excesses lying low. That is how a proactive leader talks the talk. That is the Aisha you will get to meet if you vote for her. Proactive, and result oriented. After all the entire country will be her Constituency and nobody will be left out in the dividends of her new dawn supported by her deputy from the south south. Vote for Aisha and vote for myriads of gains for yourself and family this weekend.
The struggle continues!!!
Aisha Kwaya-Bura on a mission to take nawoj to the next level
Turkiye Condoles Nigeria over Passing of Buhari
By: Michael Mike
The Turkish government has condoled with the government and people of Nigeria over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari who died on Sunday at the age of 82 after a prolonged illness was buried in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State on Tuesday.
Speaking on occassion on the 9th anniversary of the attempted forceful change of government in Turkey, the Turkish Ambasssdor designate, Mehmet Poroy said “the government of Turkey expressed its deep condolences to the people and the government of Nigeria, on the passing of the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari.”
Leading dignitaries at the occasion to observed a minute of silence, the ambassador also prayed that the Almighty Allah bless his soul.
Speaking on the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day ceremony, Poroy said its a day set aside to honour the memories of those who died in the process of defending democracy.
He said: “On this July 15th, Democracy and National Unity Day, I extend my respectful greetings to all our citizens and honour the memory of our heroic martyrs who gave their lives for the preservation of democratic and independent Turkey. I would like to thank once again for your presence here today in our embassy. We are grateful to you, dear friends, for sharing our feelings on the anniversary of this attempted coup, a direct threat to democracy and the will of our people in Turkey.”
The envoy also disclosed that over 200 institutions run by the group suspected to be behind the attempted coup has been taken over by Turkish institutions.
He noted that: “The fact that new investigations and arrests into the organisation continue to be launched, demonstrates the need for this struggle to be pursued with unwavering determination.”
Turkiye Condoles Nigeria over Passing of Buhari
UN Reaffirms Commitment to Building Act of Diplomacy in Young Nigerians
By: Michael Mike
United Nations has reiterated its commitment to supporting young Nigerians imbibe diplomacy as skills to ensure a better future.
The commitment was made on Tuesday by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Mohamed Fall, in Abuja at the inaugural Premiere Academy International Model UN (PAIMUN) conference organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria.
The conference, which is centered on commemorating the 80th anniversary since the founding of the United Nations, seeks to promote peace, tolerance, diplomacy and consensus building amongst youths.
Fall said while delivering a welcome address at the maiden Premiere Academy International Model UN (PAIMUN) that Nigeria has an undoubtedly commitment to the UN and its many goals.
He said: “Nigeria joined the UN shortly after gaining independence and since then it has a key player, the Deputy Secretary-General of the UN is from Nigeria.
“It is critical we take UN out of formal space like interaction with government, get young people and civil society involved and because more than ever, UN goals and ideals are needed.
“Let us not forget that UN was established to prevent conflict, promote security, human dignity and development, as well as provide assistance to the most vulnerable and leave no one behind.
“It is time for us, to double down, reinforce them, and spread this message. What I have seen young people do in this regard is part of it, because the future is theirs,
“Getting them trained and know how UN functions, learn diplomacy, learn tactful way of solving and peaceful way of solving difference is something which is really critical in today’s world.”
He promised to improve on the maiden edition of the conference beyond Abuja and a specific school, in order to accommodate the 36 states and all local government areas in the country.
He noted that the UN Charter started with people and the people are not only the government, but also those who are hard to reach and most vulnerable.
Fall said: “It is everyone, those who are female, those who live with disability, and I think the notion of inclusion of UN has found expression in this principle of we the people.
“Young people to understand that the future is theirs. Today’s and tomorrow’s shape have to be done by them. It is their call.
“The same way the generation of those who came out of the Second World War created UN for building peace and security. It is their time and their call to take the challenge of today.
“The challenge today are conflict, insecurity, climate-related shock, poverty and inequality, they have to take it and that is my appeal to all young people,” Fall advised.
The Principal of Premier Academy, Mr Christopher Akinsowon, on his part, commended the conference for helping the students to better understand the operation of the UN General Assembly.
He said: “What we are doing here is a simulation of the UN General Assembly. This very section teaches not only students, even we adults, the process of diplomacy.
“Such that we can resolve all issues in a very diplomatic way, as against fighting, war and aggression.
“If all states and local governments in Nigeria adopted diplomacy, there will not be so much war or crises here and there; we will talk it out instead of war.
“So, that is what we here to inculcate in these young minds, because very soon they will be
the ones that will take over as leaders, whether you like it or not.”
Highpoint of the PAIMUN conference attended by 109-students was the students playing the roles of ambassadors of UN Member States with focus on UN@80: “Building the future together.”
UN Reaffirms Commitment to Building Act of Diplomacy in Young Nigerians
ECOWAS Court to Deliver Ruling in a Case Brought by Ghana’s Chief Justice
By: Michael Mike
The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS on Monday, 14 July 2025 adjourned for a ruling on an application for provisional measures brought by the Chief Justice of Ghana, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, and the preliminary objections raised by the Republic of Ghana. The initiating application with suit No.
ECW/CCJ/APP/32/25, filed by the Chief Justice of Ghana, sought a suspension of ongoing proceedings to remove her from office and her reinstatement with full entitlements, pending the determination of the substantive matter before the Court. During the hearing, the Respondent requested that its jurisdictional objection be heard first as it pertains to the Court’s power to determine the request for provisional measures. It argued that the Court lacked jurisdiction and that the application was inadmissible since it concerned constitutional matters pending before competent domestic courts in Ghana, including its Supreme Court.
The Respondent contended that allowing the ECOWAS Court to proceed would amount to forum shopping and could lead to conflicting decisions. It cited some decided cases where the Court declined jurisdiction over matters concurrently pending before national courts, affirming its principle of non-interference in ongoing domestic judicial processes. The Respondent added that the Chief Justice was duly informed of the petition for her removal and afforded access to relevant documents.
Consequently, the ongoing process in Ghana are fully consistent with the procedures established under the Ghanaian Constitution.
In her response, the Applicant argued that the case does not involve constitutional interpretation, but rather clear violations of human rights guaranteed under regional legal instruments. She cited alleged breaches of Article 5 (right to dignity), Article 7 (right to fair hearing), and Article 15 (right to work) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The Applicant further argued that the proceedings in Ghana had already inflicted reputational harm on her and compromised judicial independence. She stressed that allowing it to proceed could render the substantive matter before the ECOWAS Court moot.
On jurisdiction, the Applicant cited the ECOWAS Court’s jurisprudence which affirm the Court’s authority to hear human rights claims despite ongoing domestic proceedings, particularly when the domestic remedies are ineffective, or the violations persist.
The Applicant pointed out that the purpose of the application for provisional measures was to temporarily protect her rights and prevent irreparable harm, pending the final decision on the substantive case.
The matter has been adjourned for a ruling at date to be communicated to the parties.
ECOWAS Court to Deliver Ruling in a Case Brought by Ghana’s Chief Justice
Turkiye Condoles Nigeria over Passing of Buhari
UN Reaffirms Commitment to Building Act of Diplomacy in Young Nigerians
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