By Qudirat Hakeem-Apanpa
Female journalists have been urged to pursue professional excellence and career advancement without neglecting their responsibilities at home, as stakeholders emphasise the importance of mutual understanding and partnership to succeed in both spheres.
Speaking on the theme, “Beyond the Byline: Strategic Integration of Professional Excellence,” Joseph said women journalists should recognise that professional ambition and family responsibilities are not mutually exclusive and should not sacrifice one for the other.
She maintained that women deserved equal opportunities to excel professionally, stressing that female journalists possessed the skills, competence and ethical standards required to thrive in the media industry.
According to her, humility, mutual respect and understanding within the family remained important ingredients for professional success.
Joseph also called on women journalists to appreciate and reciprocate their spouses’ support, noting that a harmonious family relationship would create an enabling environment for both partners to achieve their aspirations.
She further stressed that women should not be regarded as weaklings or denied opportunities to demonstrate their talents and capabilities in the workplace.
Also speaking, a former President of the NUJ, Mr Lanre Ogundipe, advised female journalists not to pursue professional advancement at the expense of their spouses’ emotional and mental well-being.
He argued that mutual support and partnership at home were essential to achieving career goals, urging women not to allow ego or professional achievements to undermine the cooperation and understanding needed in their marriages.
In her goodwill message, former NAWOJ Chairperson Mrs Olubisi Yomi-Layinka expressed concern over what she described as a declining commitment to personal development and professional growth among some members of the association.
She urged female journalists to invest in continuous learning, improve their professional competence and uphold the highest standards of journalism.
Yomi-Layinka also encouraged them to manage their homes responsibly while remaining confident and undeterred by intimidation or discrimination as they discharge their professional duties.
Similarly, the National President of NAWOJ, Hajia Aisha Ibrahim, represented by the Vice President, Zone B, Adeola Adeyera, acknowledged the invaluable contributions of women journalists to the union and the media industry.
She called for renewed commitment to ethical journalism, professionalism and the empowerment of women in the media, stressing the need for female journalists to develop the capacity to balance their professional and domestic responsibilities without compromising either.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Oyo State NUJ Council, Comrade Akeem Abass, said recognising women journalists was essential to any meaningful celebration of the union’s six decades of existence.
He described journalism as a calling that demands courage, sacrifice, integrity and an unwavering commitment to the truth.
According to him, the history of journalism in Oyo State and Nigeria would remain incomplete without acknowledging the remarkable contributions of women journalists.
Abass said the celebration, themed “Celebrating the Past, Defending the Present and Shaping the Future,” provided an opportunity to reflect on the union’s achievements and deliberately shape a future in which women journalists would enjoy adequate representation, professional empowerment, economic protection, and the respect they deserve.
The Chief Host and Chairperson of NAWOJ in Oyo State, Mrs Omolola Alamu, urged members to take the lecture’s lessons seriously, describing the contributions of veteran journalists and senior colleagues as valuable guidance for younger professionals.
Alamu emphasised that government and media employers should prioritise the welfare, wellbeing, and career advancement of women journalists, noting that balancing professional demands with family responsibilities is challenging.
She also commended the Oyo State NUJ Council for its continued support for NAWOJ members, while appealing for greater institutional assistance to improve the welfare and professional development of women journalists.
