By:Hauwa Mustapha, Kano
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Kano State Chapter, and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Kano Branch, have presented their concerns and recommendations to the AKY 2027 Campaign Blueprint Development Committee for possible inclusion in the proposed blueprint.
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The organisations made their submissions during separate engagements with the committee chaired by Dr Amina Magashi, as part of efforts to broaden consultations ahead of the 2027 elections.
Chairperson of NAWOJ, Kano State Chapter, Ba’ijjah Malam Kabara, said the engagement provided an opportunity for women journalists to present their needs and contribute ideas towards the development of the state.
She said NAWOJ, with more than 500 members in Kano, required greater attention from government, particularly in areas that were not adequately addressed during the first tenure.
According to her, the association is seeking stronger support for professional development, training, welfare, access to opportunities and digital skills for women journalists.
Malam Kabara described the invitation as a significant milestone, noting that it was the first time, to her knowledge, that NAWOJ had been formally included in the blueprint development process to present the concerns of its members.
She urged women journalists to take advantage of the opportunity by bringing forward constructive ideas and practical solutions that could strengthen the profession and improve their welfare.
“Let us not only ask for opportunities; we must prepare ourselves to take advantage of them,” she said.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the AKY 2027 Campaign Blueprint Development Committee, Dr Amina Magashi, said the committee invited NAWOJ and other professional and women-led organisations to widen the scope of consultations and ensure that the blueprint reflected the needs of different segments of society.
Dr Magashi said the committee had already received more than 50 memoranda through an online platform, while several organisations had also appeared before the committee to make physical submissions.
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He expressed optimism that the recommendations contained in the blueprint would be implemented if Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf secured a second term.
According to him, the proposed blueprint was intended to consolidate the achievements of the administration’s first tenure, improve ongoing interventions and develop new programmes targeting women, children, youths, vulnerable persons and the elderly.
The committee chairperson urged women who had become discouraged about participating in politics and governance to remain hopeful, resilient and courageous.
Dr Magashi, said the consultation process remained open to professional bodies, labour groups, associations and other stakeholders willing to submit proposals.
In a separate engagement, the Chairperson of FIDA, Kano Branch, retired Chief Magistrate Salma Ahmad Baffa, said she was invited to present the organisation’s concerns and areas requiring government intervention.
Baffa said FIDA’s recommendations focused particularly on access to justice, social justice and protection mechanisms for women, children, persons living with disabilities, older persons and other vulnerable groups.
She described the invitation as a welcome development and said it was the first time FIDA Kano Branch had been given an opportunity to formally present its concerns through the blueprint process.
The FIDA chairperson encouraged women and young people, particularly those aspiring to elective positions, to remain confident and persistent in pursuing their goals.
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She said women should not assume that their voices were insignificant, stressing that with determination and continued advocacy, their concerns could reach decision-making platforms.
The consultations are expected to contribute to the development of recommendations and policy priorities for the proposed AKY 2027 campaign blueprint.
